The Marine Section of the Spanish Renewable Energy Association (APPA Marina) has added two new members of renowned prestige – Saitec Offshore Technologies and Magallanes Renovable s – to its Board of Directors with the aim of strengthening its representative capacity and giving new impetus to the development of marine energy in Spain. In particular, the offshore wind sector, which has a target of 3 GW in the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) for 2030, is languishing, awaiting a regulatory and remuneration framework that will be attractive enough to attract initial investments.
The addition of Saitec Offshore Technologies and Magallanes Renovables completes a Board of Directors that already includes ENEROCEAN, EVE, IHCantabria, and DEGIMA, entities that have historically contributed to the growth and consolidation of the association in the field of marine renewables. The inclusion of these new members is part of APPA Marina’s strategy to strengthen a representative, experienced Board of Directors that is fully aligned with the strategic challenges of the marine energy sector.
In the words of Pedro Mayorga, president of APPA Marina, “ the addition of new profiles consolidates a more diverse and robust vision of the sector, reinforcing APPA Marina’s role as a key stakeholder in the development of blue energy, in its broadest sense .” “ Both entities bring extensive experience in technological innovation and project development, which expands our representation and strengthens an increasingly cohesive, participatory association, better prepared to face the regulatory, technological, and market challenges ahead ,” Mayorga noted.
Saitec and Magallanes, two prestigious additions
Saitec Offshore Technologies brings to the Board of Directors a valuable combination of innovation, technical expertise, and international perspective. With its SATH floating technology, a pioneer in deep-water offshore wind, the company represents Spanish leadership in R&D and sustainability. Its comprehensive knowledge—from design to open-ocean operation—and its presence in global markets strengthen the strategic and technological capabilities of the governing body.
Carlos Ariel Garrido Mendoza , Innovation Director at Saitec Offshore Technologies, stated: “It is an honor to join a Board that has been key to the development of marine energy in Spain over the last 20 years. But now we must take another step: the sector is technologically and industrially ready, and we need a clear regulatory framework, long-term planning, and mechanisms to boost the national value chain. Spain has the opportunity to lead this market in Europe, and at APPA Marina we will work to make that opportunity a reality . ”
For its part, Magallanes Renovables contributes solid experience in ocean current energy, a strong commitment to innovation, and a strategic vision of sustainable impact. Its advanced technology for harnessing ocean currents, along with its track record in R&D, strengthens the governing body’s capacity to oversee disruptive projects with global potential.
Mario Iglesias Casal , director of Magallanes Renovables, emphasized that “Spain has an exceptional industrial and technological base that must be leveraged to position the country on the map of marine energy. At Magallanes, we will contribute our experience in projects developed in other countries to help deploy this technology in a market that is still in its infancy in Spain, boosting both its technological development and strengthening the entire national value chain.”
APPA Marina demands vision and certainty
With these additions, APPA Marina continues its work of integrating new voices from the broad blue energy business network, reinforcing its role as a key interlocutor and advancing the consolidation of a solid and capable national ecosystem for the development of marine renewable energies, including floating offshore wind, waves, currents and other emerging technologies.
The President of the Section, Pedro Mayorga, is clear on this: “We are at a decisive moment for the sector because we need to complete the regulatory framework that provides certainty and a temporal vision to promote the creation of a national market for marine renewables and favor the consolidation of the national technological and industrial fabric that is already prepared to implement the first projects in Spanish waters, and will allow us to move towards the national objectives not only for 2030 but beyond.”
Offshore wind power: the stalled potential
To advance the goals of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC), it will be essential to activate technologies such as offshore wind, which are already commercially mature but still lack real development in Spain, despite having 3 GW allocated. The absence of auctions, administrative delays, and a lack of legal certainty are blocking a sector that is key to the energy transition and the blue economy.
The Royal Decree-Law, which was ultimately not ratified, included a provision that represented a significant advance in marine R&D&I: allowing standard authorizations for prototypes in areas already assessed. This measure, by facilitating the replacement of devices without repeating procedures, would have expedited technological development and should be reinstated in future regulations.
Spain has the knowledge, resources, and industry necessary to lead the floating wind energy sector, but without new, specific, and effective support, the sector remains stagnant. Clear incentives, auctions, and stable, appropriate regulations are needed to enable the sector to take off.
“We cannot continue to miss opportunities while other countries move forward. The 3 GW of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) must now be accompanied by concrete measures,” reflected Pedro Mayorga. “At APPA Marina, we maintain our commitment to collaboration to achieve a sustainable and innovative deployment of marine renewable energies in Spain, but the regulator must take action if we don’t want to lose our options,” concluded the President of APPA Marina.
