Ocean Oasis, a forward-thinking Norwegian CleanTech startup, has obtained a grant of €6 million from the European Union to develop their novel wave-powered desalination technology further.
The creation and installation of the first fleet of offshore desalination buoys, intended to alleviate Gran Canaria’s water scarcity, will be made possible by this significant expenditure.
In keeping with Ocean Oasis’ goal of offering sustainable freshwater solutions, the funding, given by the European Executive Agency on Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment (CINEA) under the Circular Economy & Quality of Life Programme, is a significant turning point. Up to 15,000 people in the area will benefit from the DESALIFE (Desalination for Environmental Sustainability and LIFE) project, which will use the considerable wave power off the coast of Gran Canaria to turn saltwater into drinkable water.
Water scarcity has long plagued the Canary Islands, which are off the coast of West Africa. The islands have become increasingly dependent on desalination due to the strain on their local water supplies. However, Traditional desalination techniques are frequently associated with high energy costs, carbon emissions, and environmental issues such as brine discharge. The wave-powered desalination technology of Ocean Oasis provides a zero-emission substitute, creating freshwater without escalating energy usage or negatively affecting the environment.
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CEO and co-founder of Ocean Oasis, Kristine Bangstad said:
“We at Ocean Oasis think that renewable energy, especially wave power, holds the key to a future where clean water is both abundant and accessible. The DESALIFE initiative is a major step toward showcasing the potential of our technology for coastal towns around the world as well as the Canary Islands.”
An EU grant will fund the construction and installation of floating desalination buoys, set for testing in deep waters off the north coast of Gran Canaria. The advantageous wave conditions and proximity to already-existing desalination plants made this location ideal for integrating offshore freshwater production into the island’s water supply.
Partners:
Key partners in the project consortium include the Canary Islands Institute of Technology (ITC), the Group for the Research on Renewable Energy Systems (GRRES) of the Universidad of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN), and elittoral, a coastal and oceanographic engineering consulting firm.
The Gran Canaria Island Water Council’s vice president, Miguel Hidalgo, underlined the DESALIFE project’s strategic significance, saying:
“This initiative not only strengthens our commitment to renewable energy but also aligns with our broader goal of transitioning toward a sustainable, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient economy.”
By mid-2026, the DESALIFE project plans to deploy its first pre-commercial buoys, paving the way to expand the technology across more islands in the archipelago and beyond. If effective, this ground-breaking strategy would offer a model for resolving water scarcity in island and coastal communities around the world, all the while reducing environmental impact and encouraging the use of renewable energy sources.
