In 2007, Spain launched the Singular Scientific and Technical Facilities (ICTS) network to boost science, research, and technology. PLOCAN, a key part of this initiative, was established to advance marine research and technology, fostering economic growth and job creation through sustainable ocean access. A pivotal agreement between the Spanish government and the Canary Islands led to the formation of the PLOCAN consortium in 2008. Since then, milestones include the creation of a testbed platform and the installation of Spain’s first offshore wind turbine.
PLOCAN offers a cost-effective mix of services, including housing, operations, data, and access to a versatile offshore platform, observatories, and testbed facilities. These resources address upcoming scientific challenges and socio-economic needs related to the oceans.
Our goal is to become a world-class testing ground that accelerates the development of technologies and knowledge for the conservation and sustainable use of renewable resources, ensuring equitable prosperity and environmental protection. We attract national and international science and technology users, addressing R&D challenges and positioning the Canary Islands, Spain, and the EU at the forefront of the blue economy.
The core of our operations is the PLOCAN testbed and infrastructure, a multidisciplinary laboratory located 30 meters deep and 1.5 kilometers off the northeast coast of Gran Canaria. This facility supports bio-geo-chemical analysis and includes a 23-square-kilometer marine testing area with unique ecosystem access and open-ocean observation systems.
We also feature autonomous observation platforms, a fleet of cutting-edge underwater vehicles, and a land base in Telde equipped for electronics, mechanical integration, repair, storage, and logistics. A marine sensor laboratory is nearing completion.
Our team comprises 58 professionals, equally split between men and women, with a strong focus on science and technology. We collaborate with scientific and technological institutions, businesses, and universities globally, primarily from Europe and Spain. Last year, we partnered with 936 entities from 76 countries, with even more collaborations worldwide.
PLOCAN emphasizes collaboration among government, academia, business, and society—the quadruple helix—across all islands. We implement real blue economy projects, leveraging AI, IoT, sensor technology, and robotics. From Gran Canaria, we’ve expanded to La Palma and Tenerife, where we are involved in three international projects with a combined budget of 6.3 million euros. Our next steps include extending our presence to Fuerteventura, La Gomera, and Lanzarote, aiming to cover all the islands.
