Spain could host 4.45–6.48 GW of floating offshore solar capacity, covering up to 9% of national electricity demand, according to new research. Using maritime spatial planning scenarios, researchers found potential is concentrated mainly in the Strait of Gibraltar–Alboran Sea, Canary Islands, and, under broader restrictions, the Mediterranean.
From pv magazine Spain
Researchers from the University of A Coruña (UDC) have found that the Spanish coastline could accommodate between 4.45 GW and 6.48 GW of floating offshore solar capacity, depending on the maritime spatial planning criteria applied. The estimated capacity would be enough to supply between 6.2% and 9% of Spain’s electricity demand recorded in September 2025.
The study “Assessment of installable offshore solar power capacity in Spain based on maritime spatial planning,“, published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, is the first systematic evaluation of Spain’s offshore solar potential using the country’s Maritime Spatial Planning Plans (POEM), approved under Spain’s Royal Decree 150/2023. Although offshore photovoltaics remains at an early stage of development, the authors said the technology offers several advantages over land-based solar, including greater space availability, fewer land-use conflicts, and improved performance due to the cooling effect of seawater.
