Ocean Oasis, a leading cleantech company based in Oslo, has secured €6 million in funding from the European Union to advance its innovative wave-powered desalination technology. This funding will enable the deployment of the first offshore desalination buoys on Gran Canaria, a Spanish island facing significant water scarcity.
The grant, provided by the European Executive Agency on Climate, Infrastructure and Environment (CINEA) through the Circular Economy and Quality of Life Programme, marks a significant milestone for Ocean Oasis. The project, named DESALIFE (Desalination for Environmental Sustainability and LIFE), aims to convert seawater into drinking water using the abundant wave energy off Gran Canaria’s coast. This effort is expected to benefit up to 15,000 residents on the island.
The Canary Islands have long struggled with water shortages, relying heavily on desalination, which traditionally consumes large amounts of energy and raises environmental concerns. Ocean Oasis’ technology offers a sustainable alternative, producing freshwater without adding to energy consumption or environmental degradation.
Kristine Bangstad Fredriksen, CEO and Co-founder of Ocean Oasis, highlighted the importance of the DESALIFE project, stating, “Renewable energy, especially wave power, is crucial for a future where clean water is accessible to all. The DESALIFE project is a major step in proving our technology’s potential, not just for the Canary Islands, but for coastal regions worldwide.”
The €6 million funding will support the construction and testing of floating desalination buoys in deep waters off Gran Canaria’s north coast, chosen for its ideal wave conditions and proximity to existing desalination infrastructure. Key partners in the project include the Canary Islands Institute of Technology (ITC), The Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN), the Universidad of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), and the consultancy firm elittoral.
Miguel Hidalgo, vice president of the Gran Canaria Island Water Council, emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative, noting that it aligns with the island’s broader goals of sustainability and climate resilience.
The first pre-commercial buoys are expected to be operational by mid-2026, with plans to expand the technology to other islands in the archipelago and beyond. If successful, Ocean Oasis’ approach could serve as a model for tackling water scarcity in coastal and island communities globally, all while minimizing environmental impact and promoting renewable energy.
