CONSORCIO PARA EL DISENO, CONSTRUCCION, EQUIPAMIENTO Y EXPLOTACION DE LA PLATAFORMA OCEANICA DE CANARIAS

Their core work

PLOCAN operates a permanent offshore ocean test platform in the Canary Islands, providing real-sea infrastructure for testing marine technologies, ocean sensors, renewable energy devices, and autonomous underwater systems. They serve as a critical bridge between laboratory research and open-ocean deployment, offering access to deep-water test sites for floating wind, wave energy, and ocean observation technologies. Their physical infrastructure and geographic position in the mid-Atlantic make them a natural hub for trans-Atlantic ocean research cooperation and integrated coastal-to-deep-ocean monitoring networks.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2015–2018, PLOCAN focused on ocean observation networking, trans-Atlantic cooperation, and knowledge transfer — projects like AtlantOS, COLUMBUS, and AORAC-SA were about building connections and sharing marine data across institutions. From 2019 onward, their portfolio shifted decisively toward applied ocean technology: floating wind energy (FLOTANT, PivotBuoy), advanced ocean sensors (TechOceanS), coastal observation infrastructure (JERICO-S3, MINKE), and island decarbonisation (MAESHA, MUSICA). The trajectory is clear — from networking and cooperation frameworks toward hardware-intensive testing and deployment of offshore energy and sensing technologies.

PLOCAN is evolving from a passive infrastructure host into an active technology validation hub for floating wind, ocean sensors, and island energy systems — expect them to seek partners with deployable hardware needing real-sea testing.

How they like to work

PLOCAN overwhelmingly operates as a consortium partner (26 of 31 projects), contributing test infrastructure and ocean access rather than leading project design. They have coordinated only twice (FLOTANT and GRRIP), both relatively modest budgets. With 480 unique partners across 42 countries, they function as a network hub — their value lies in connecting diverse consortia to their physical offshore platform, making them easy to integrate into large, multi-partner projects.

An exceptionally well-connected organization with 480 unique consortium partners spanning 42 countries, reflecting their role as a shared-use ocean infrastructure that attracts diverse international teams. Their network has a strong Atlantic axis (EU-US-Africa cooperation projects) alongside deep ties to European marine research institutions.

What sets them apart

PLOCAN's defining asset is its permanent offshore ocean platform in the Canary Islands — one of very few facilities in Europe offering year-round, deep-water, open-ocean testing conditions. Their location at the EU's southwestern maritime frontier gives unique access to Atlantic deep-water conditions, making them irreplaceable for projects needing real-sea validation of floating wind turbines, ocean sensors, or autonomous marine vehicles. For consortium builders, PLOCAN brings both the physical testing site and an established network of 480+ partners, reducing the effort of assembling large ocean-focused proposals.

Highlights from their portfolio

• TechOceanS
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 660K) — focused on advanced ocean sensing technologies including lab-on-chip and genomic sensors, showing PLOCAN's push into high-tech marine instrumentation.
• FLOTANT
  One of only two projects PLOCAN coordinated — a floating wind technology demonstration for deep-water sites, signaling their strategic ambition in offshore renewable energy.
• AtlantOS
  Major early project (EUR 528K) that established PLOCAN's role in the integrated Atlantic Ocean observing system, covering everything from sensors and fisheries to ocean modeling.