Tenerife Expands Blue Economy Hub With New Plocan Facility and €6.3 Million Investment
Tenerife has launched a new Plocan facility in Barranco Grande backed by a €6.3 million investment to bolster the island’s blue economy and advance marine innovation through collaborative research and technology development.
Tenerife has strengthened its position as a key hub for Atlantic innovation with the opening of a new Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (Plocan) facility at the Science and Technology Park in Barranco Grande. This expansion aims to decentralize operations and better connect researchers, academics, and businesses working within the "blue economy."
The move comes alongside a €6.3 million investment in three major projects. The Atlantic Whale Deal uses thermal, acoustic, and visual sensors to help prevent ship collisions with marine life. The Oceansentinel project monitors the Teno-Rasca Marine Strip using artificial intelligence and high-resolution cameras to track both cetaceans and boat traffic in real time. Finally, the Upwelling project, part of the Interreg Atlantic Area program, is designed to help companies and research centers in Spain, Portugal, France, and Ireland share knowledge and access testing facilities.
For the Tenerife Island Council, this project is a strategic step toward diversifying the island’s economy beyond its traditional reliance on the service sector. By locating in Barranco Grande, Plocan can work closely with existing technology centers to develop robotics, sensors, and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for the marine environment.
Plocan director José Joaquín Hernández Brito noted that the new facility will help link the Canary Islands to international maritime innovation networks. Juan José Martínez, the island’s Minister of Innovation, added that Plocan will act as a catalyst for collaborative projects that go beyond academic research.
The long-term success of this initiative will depend on how effectively the island can turn these resources and talent into a thriving export industry. The challenge for both the public and private sectors will be to translate scientific research into practical, productive technology, establishing Tenerife as a leader in ocean observation and marine innovation in the Mid-Atlantic.