What are PLEMCAT FACILITIES all about?
- Offering offshore infrastructure to support testing from early-stage research to pre-commercial validation.
- Combining floating berths grid connection monitoring systems and telemetry in a real Mediterranean environment.
- Supporting the validation of structures moorings electrical systems and digital solutions across key testing stages.
- Providing laboratories logistics O&M coordination and training facilities for deployment and operational readiness.
PlemCat provides a comprehensive suite of offshore and onshore infrastructure designed to support the full testing cycle from early-stage research (TRL 4) through to pre-commercial validation (TRL 8). Developers, manufacturers and research institutions gain access to a ready-made operational environment, eliminating the need to establish independent infrastructure.
Offshore infrastructure
A one-of-a-kind offshore platform designed to test and validate next-generation energy technologies at scale. It features three floating berths for prototypes above 15 MW, a dedicated 66 kV grid connection, and advanced real-time data and environmental monitoring systems.
Located in a high wind resource area and officially authorised by the Spanish Government, the site enables reliable, full-scale experimentation under real operating conditions.
Onshore infrastructure
A comprehensive onshore ecosystem designed to support testing, operations and deployment. It includes advanced laboratories for materials and components, a data and digital twin centre, and a dedicated hub for operations and maintenance coordination.
Complemented by port access, safety and operational frameworks, and training facilities, it ensures efficient execution, knowledge transfer and long-term scalability of energy solutions.
Testing capabilities
From pre-commercial testing to full-scale offshore demonstration, the site accommodates next-generation floating offshore wind prototypes under real Mediterranean conditions. Developers can validate performance, reliability and operational readiness at scale, whilst assessing new design solutions, integration strategies and maintenance approaches in a fully authorised and operational environment.
Floating structure testing
TRL range
5-9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Full-scale prototype deployment, monitoring and performance validation.
Mooring and anchoring
TRL range
4-8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Design verification, load testing and long-term monitoring of mooring systems.
Electrical systems
TRL range
5-9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
66 kV grid connection, power quality and grid integration testing.
Environmental monitoring
TRL range
3-7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Baseline surveys, impact monitoring and regulatory compliance data collection.
Operations and Maintenance (O&M)
TRL range
4-9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Protocol development, vessel access testing, remote monitoring validation.
Digital systems
TRL range
3-7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Sensor integration, digital twin development and predictive maintenance algorithms.
Component testing
TRL range
3-6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Subsystem validation in onshore laboratories prior to offshore deployment.
Prototypes
From pre-commercial testing to full-scale offshore demonstration, the site accommodates next-generation floating offshore wind prototypes under real Mediterranean conditions. Developers can validate performance, reliability and operational readiness at scale, whilst assessing new design solutions, integration strategies and maintenance approaches in a fully authorised and operational environment.
PlemCat is led by IREC (Institut de Recerca en Energia de Catalunya) under the mandate of the Generalitat de Catalunya and with co-funding from MITECO/IDAE (Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico) through the RENMARINAS DEMOS programme and the Next Generation EU instrument. The platform operates under a broad collaborative framework involving universities, technology centres and private companies from Catalonia and beyond.