Following the official publication of the Maritime Spatial Plans (acronym POEMs in Spanish) by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, the BlueFloat Energy and Sener partnership, with 1.25 GW of offshore wind projects across the Canary Islands, Catalonia and Galicia, has affirmed that:

• The POEMs represent a turning point for the development of offshore wind in Spain, a key sector for the energy transition in our country. Their publication is the starting point for developers to propel offshore wind development in strict compliance with current legislation and to demonstrate the compatibility of their projects in terms of sea space use and environment.

• Following the publication of the POEMs, offshore wind enters its most decisive phase: the Ministry must define the legal framework and the criteria for public tenders for areas with high potential for offshore wind development. This is a unique opportunity to commit to a new renewable energy model that puts the territory at its core.

• BlueFloat Energy and Sener firmly believe that offshore wind will only be truly sustainable if it so at an economical, social and environmental level. This paradigm shift in the development of large infrastructures will only occur if legislation and public tenders require developers to engage in early and transparent dialogue with the territory, aimed at fostering consensus and integration of projects, citizen participation and return to the local communities.

• Large infrastructures have often generated social and territorial rejection, mainly due to the lack of transparency, dialogue and consensus with citizens and stakeholders. It is time to commit – and tenders could be designed to require it – to a balance between technical feasibility, social acceptance and local benefits. This is the only way to move towards a fairer and more sustainable energy transition.

Madrid, February 28, 2023