The future of marine renewable energy is taking shape off the coast of Mitrena, Portugal. Led by Etermar, the “BayFloat” project unites national industry and science to test an innovative concrete platform. The investment, funded by Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), positions the country at the forefront of Europe’s energy transition.
Construction of the BayFloat prototype, a pioneering floating wind platform designed to accelerate decarbonization and reduce energy production costs at sea, began today, March 5, 2026, at Etermar Energia’s facilities in Setúbal.
The project, part of the Mobilizing Agenda for Energy Transition within the PRR, involves a reduced-scale, semi-submersible platform that will serve as a real-world test for an innovative concrete design. This initiative underscores Portugal’s commitment to developing cutting-edge renewable energy technologies.
Led by Etermar Energia, in consortium with industry leaders and elite research centers, the project is a key milestone of the ATE, financed by the PRR. It combines national maritime engineering expertise with advanced scientific research to validate the technical feasibility and large-scale production potential of this technology, which is considered essential for Europe’s energy transition.
The structure features a triangular pontoon approximately 30 meters (98 feet) on each side and three towers standing 8 meters (26 feet) tall. It will function as an advanced research and development center, serving as a “living laboratory” for testing and refinement.
A strategic partnership will equip the prototype with a “Digital Twin” developed by WavEC, enabling real-time simulations, and fiber optic sensors designed by INESC TEC for structural and environmental monitoring.
Luís Machado, CEO of Etermar Energia, emphasized the company’s commitment to industrializing solutions for the marine renewables sector, strengthening the Portuguese industrial ecosystem and creating strategic value for the country and Europe. “We are applying our vast experience in floating concrete structures to industrialize a pioneering solution,” Machado stated.
The collaborative model highlights the synergy between different stakeholders. BayWa r.e. Holds the design certified by DNV, while technical execution is handled by national partners such as Secil, responsible for the specialized concrete; VSL, focused on post-tensioning; and Fórum Oceano, which will support the commercialization of the technology.
Specialized concrete is a strategic alternative to steel, offering greater durability and potential for large-scale industrialization. The leverage of concrete, rather than steel, in the platform’s construction represents a significant shift in offshore wind technology.
The technological component is a key differentiator for this unit. The prototype will be equipped with a digital twin, developed by WavEC to simulate the structure’s behavior in real time, and will incorporate cutting-edge fiber optic sensors from INESC TEC for continuous structural monitoring. Following the completion of construction in July 2026, the platform will undergo two years of testing in a real-world environment.
Ricardo Rocha, of BayWa r.e., underscored that real-time monitoring of the construction and behavior of the structure will be fundamental to consolidating Portugal’s position in the offshore wind supply chain.
With construction scheduled for completion in July 2026, the platform will then enter a two-year period of anchored monitoring, potentially defining the future of clean energy at sea. This extended testing phase will provide crucial data for optimizing the platform’s performance and scalability.
Portugal is positioning itself not only as a consumer of clean energy but also as an exporter of cutting-edge technology to the demanding offshore wind market. The BayFloat project demonstrates the country’s growing capabilities in the renewable energy sector and its potential to become a key player in the global energy transition.
