Salmon Evolution marks expansion "milestone" as first Phase 2 tank filled with water

Norway's Salmon Evolution has reached a new construction and commissioning milestone at its hybrid flow-through salmon farming facility at Indre Harøy, after successfully filling the first tank of its Phase 2 expansion with seawater.

The company said the step marks the start of commissioning activities for Phase 2 and confirms that key technical systems are operating as planned. Filling the tank is considered a prerequisite for further testing before fish can be introduced.

The Norwegian land-based salmon farmer said its Phase 2 expansion will increase the site’s total production capacity to 18,000 tonnes head-on gutted of salmon once fully completed. The company said the works remain on schedule, around 18 months after construction began.

“Filling the first tank is a symbolic moment for all of us,” said Kamilla Mordal Holo, Chief Project & Technology Officer. “It demonstrates that the systems we have designed and built are performing exactly as intended --and, most importantly, it brings us closer to what truly matters: welcoming new smolt into their future home.”

The company said knowledge and experience gained during Phase 1 has been incorporated into the execution of Phase 2, "ensuring a efficient and robust project". While the first tank has now been filled, additional testing, verification and completion work will be carried out before the facility is ready for its first smolt release.

Holo added that the milestone reflected close cooperation between the company’s own team and its contractors. “Seeing water flow through the system as planned gives us confidence as we move into the next phase of commissioning,” she said.

With commissioning under way, the company said its focus will now shift to completing final checks and preparations for introducing smolt to the new tanks, which will mark the next major step in bringing Phase 2 into operation.