Completed pen with sea lion protection at Huar Norte, Chile. Solar panels have been installed.
Photo: AKVA group
Mowi, in collaboration with the AKVA Group, has unveiled Chile's first low-emission fish farming facility, with a solar-powered floating cage system at the Huar Norte facility.
The Norwegian aquaculture technology group provided the cage infrastructure and solar integration. Energy technology providers Alotta Energy and Fjord Maritime also participated in this project.
The main objective of this initiative is to "significantly" advance efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels and avoid CO₂ emissions in marine aquaculture.
"This is an important delivery for us, but even more significant is that Mowi has shown leadership and courage by being the first to act. We are grateful for the trust placed in us as technology partner for this project," expressed AKVA group Chile General Manager, Christian Schäfer.
The installation involves a hybrid system that includes a floating solar power plant, developed and supplied by the Norwegian energy company Alotta. The panels on the cages withstand harsh marine conditions, and the electricity can be stored in battery systems for later use.
In addition, AKVA will provide maintenance and service support, Fjord Maritime provided the energy management and storage systems, and Alotta Energy supplies energy as a service to the farm.
With all this effort, the center is expected to reduce annual diesel consumption and reduce the number of vessels operating for fuel supplies. In addition, the noise generated by diesel generators will be reduced, thus improving the working environment.
"We founded Alotta to create renewable energy solutions that work where it matters most. Our Alotta Solar Hybrid technology has been proven along the Norwegian coast, and now it’s helping Mowi cut emissions in Chile. That’s a milestone we are truly proud of,” detailed Alotta Energy Chile CEO, Kari-Elin Hildre.
Finally, MD at Fjord Maritime Chile, Steve Burns indicated: "For us, this is about securing stable and robust energy supply while also cutting emissions. By combining our energy management and storage capacity with efficient solar power, we are directly contributing to more climate-friendly food production."