Climate change increasingly affects the shipbuilding industry, accounting for approximately 3% of global CO₂ emissions. This sector, which is highly energy-demanding for ship construction and repair, faces the challenge of reducing its environmental impact and transitioning toward sustainable energy practices. However, the ongoing digital gap still hinders efficient energy consumption management and limits control over its production processes.

In this context, Aiguasol collaborates with the TECNAVAL 2025 project. This is one of the key initiatives within the decarbonization strategy promoted by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, through the PERTENAVAL program, with the support of SOERMAR and the active participation of leading companies in technology and energy efficiency.

The project aims to improve the sustainability of shipyards by transforming them into centers for generating and efficiently managing renewable energy. To achieve this, the project will involve the digitalization of energy consumption, optimization of machinery performance using artificial intelligence (AI), and integration of renewable energy sources with electrical and thermal storage systems.

Innovation and Sustainability in Shipyards

At Aiguasol, we contribute to the project by bringing our experience in sustainability and energy efficiency, focused on the modernization and decarbonization of several key shipyards in Spain:

• Freire Shipyard – C.N.P. FREIRE, S.A. (Vigo, Galicia) – over 40,000 m²
• ASTICAN (Gran Canaria) – over 80,000 m²
• Drassanes San Enrique – over 30,000 m²
• New Huelva Shipyard – over 60,000 m²
• MED GATE Naval Construction (Ceuta) – over 25,000 m²

Our role within the project is organized around four strategic pillars: 

📊 Internal Monitoring Plan: Implementation of a system to monitor and optimize processes at the shipyards, such as propeller repairs or welding work, maximizing operational efficiency and reducing the environmental impact associated with boat production.

💡 Energy Efficiency: We conduct a detailed analysis of energy consumption at the shipyards, which will allow for optimization measures in areas such as compressor operation, transformer charging, or HVAC systems, among others, to significantly reduce energy waste and resource usage.

♻️ Fossil Fuel Replacement: We assess and promote the replacement of outdated equipment with more efficient electric solutions, contributing to the gradual elimination of fossil fuels in shipbuilding and maintenance processes.

☀️ Photovoltaic Self-consumption: By installing photovoltaic systems at the shipyards, we promote energy independence for the facilities and favor the use of renewable energy as a foundation for comprehensive decarbonization. Additionally, the implementation of energy storage strategies, such as batteries, will help take advantage of periods of higher solar radiation.

Strategic Alliance to Transform the Sector

TECNAVAL 2025 is not just a one-time project but the result of a collective effort among companies and institutions committed to transforming the shipbuilding industry and aligning with global climate goals. Among the participants are notable names such as Abervian | Product Engineering, ADDocean Technologies, MAR Technologies, ASTICAN, ASTANDER, DRASSANES SAN ENRIQUE, Bureau Veritas Spain, Consulmar S.R.L., CYP Core, Ership Grupo, Industrias Guerra, IDESA, MED GATE CONSTRUCCIONES NAVALES, Freire Shipyard, Navacel Process Industries, NOU DRASSANA DE HUELVA, SYM NAVAL, Siport21, WILLBÖ Engineering, and the BASQUE MARITIME CLUSTER, Asime, and ASSOCIACIÓ CLÚSTER NAVAL GALLEC clusters.

Beyond TECNAVAL 2025

The project aims to lay the groundwork for the development of a future intelligent energy analysis and optimization system at the participating shipyards. This system will include advanced modules for billing, monitoring, and anomaly detection in consumption, as well as detailed diagnostics and optimized remote control of operations. Furthermore, the scope of the basic projects required for future investments in energy efficiency and local generation with renewable sources will be established. Finally, a technical feasibility study will assess the participation of shipyards in flexibility, self-consumption, and demand aggregation markets, thus promoting a more sustainable and innovative energy model in the shipbuilding industry.