What is PLEMCAT all about?
- Monitoring the Mediterranean Sea to provide environmental evidence and continuous monitoring of floating offshore wind deployment.
- Testing floating wind technologies and components along all the industrial supply chain once the platform is operational.
- Operating, once operational, a research and innovation laboratory for floating wind,marine energies and digital systems.
- Building synergies between floating wind, fishing, ports, tourism and the mediterranean blue economy.
PlemCat (Platform for Marine Energies of Catalonia) is being developed as a large scale research and testing infrastructure located in the LEBA1 zone in the Gulf of Roses, 16 to 24 km offshore northern Catalonia. It is promoted by IREC (Institut de Recerca en Energia de Catalunya) and brings together public institutions, universities, technology centres and the private sector to advance floating offshore wind and marine energy in Catalonia and the wider Mediterranean region.
A unique test zone in the Mediterranean
Three floating berths with 66 kV grid connection, capable of hosting next generation turbines above 15 MW are planned. PlemCat will covers Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4 to 8. No equivalent facility exists in the Mediterranean.
A complete testing value chain
PlemCat is intended to integrate offshore infrastructure, safety and operational protocols, and dedicated port logistics support. Developers may be able to arrive at a fully planned operational environment, without the need to establish independent infrastructure.
Dedicated environmental monitoring buoy
Our offshore buoy is intended to collect continuous meteo oceanographic, biodiversity and avifauna data. This is expected to generate the evidence base needed to deploy floating wind responsibly and to inform marine spatial planning in Catalan and Mediterranean waters,. subject to the applicable environmental authorisations, monitoring protocols, scientific quality requirements and data-governance rules.
Full TRL coverage, from concept to pre commercial validation
PlemCat is designed to support development across the full Technology Readiness Level (TRL) spectrum, from TRL 4 (proof of concept) through to TRL 8 (operational prototype in real conditions). This makes it intended to be the only Mediterranean facility capable of accompanying a technology from early laboratory stages to full scale offshore testing.
Driving the next generation of energy transformation
IREC is advancing innovative technologies that enable a cleaner, more efficient and resilient energy system. From renewable integration to advanced materials and digital solutions, our research accelerates the transition from concept to real-world impact. Through cutting-edge experimentation and collaboration with industry, we develop scalable solutions that respond to today’s energy challenges while anticipating the needs of tomorrow.
Goals
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
A blue economy model Demonstrate that floating offshore wind can coexist and create synergies with fishing, ports, tourism and the communities that depend on the sea.
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION HUB
Knowledge generation Produce open, replicable scientific results that inform policy, regulation and commercial decisions in Catalonia and the wider Mediterranean region.
FLOATING WIND TEST ZONE
Industrial readiness Strengthen the supply chain and industrial network so that local companies can compete in the global floating wind market.
BLUE ECONOMY BENCHMARK
A blue economy model demonstrate that floating offshore wind can coexist and create synergies with fishing, ports, tourism and the communities that depend on the sea.
About PlemCat
Discover the platform, its location and strategic pillars.
Useful links
Find the main resources and reference pages for understanding PlemCat, its facilities, research activity, testing opportunities and governance framework,framework, including the current development status and applicable transparency documentation.
Facilities
Offshore infrastructure, testing capabilities and port logistics planned for PlemCat
Research projects
Four programmes environment engineering innovation society
Call for testing oportunities
Express your interest in testing floating wind technologies at PlemCat
Transparency
Access IREC transparency activity reports and governance information
Frecuent answers and questions
Have questions about PlemCat? Find answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Events
Stay up to date with PlemCat conferences, workshops, public consultations and outreach activities.
News
The latest updates, milestones and publications from the PlemCat project.
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The PLEMCAT Platform receives the 2025 engineering and progress award
The R&D&I Platform in Marine Energies of Catalonia (PLEMCAT), led by IREC, has been awarded the 2025 Engineering and Progress Award by the Col·legi d’Enginyers de Camins, Canals i Ports. The award was presented this Friday, May 16, at the Palau de la Música Catalana during the 35th Cerdà Awards – Nit de Santo Domingo…
Read more: The PLEMCAT Platform receives the 2025 engineering and progress awardPablo Fernández MartÃnez
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IREC contributes to Catalonia’s energy innovation
The Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC), a member of the CERCA network and holder of the TECNIO acrreditation from ACCIO, which distinguishes high-tech developers and facilitators in Catalonia, celebrates the recent classification of Catalonia’s overall indicator is above the European Union average according to the European Innovation Scoreboard 2023, compiled by the European Commission.…
Read more: IREC contributes to Catalonia’s energy innovationPablo Fernández MartÃnez
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The Government of Catalonia promotes the IREC’s R&D&I Platform in Marine Energies of Catalonia (PLEMCAT)
The Departament d’Acció Climà tica, Alimentació i Agenda Rural of Generalitat de Catalunya promotes the creation of the R&D&I Platform in Marine Energies of Catalonia (PLEMCAT) led by the Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC), an innovative research infrastructure that will be located in the Bay of Roses, Alt Empordà in Girona. PLEMCAT will be a…
Read more: The Government of Catalonia promotes the IREC’s R&D&I Platform in Marine Energies of Catalonia (PLEMCAT)Pablo Fernández MartÃnez
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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 is being developed to operate under a broad collaborative framework involving universities, technology centres and private companies from Catalonia and beyond.