Fish farmer orders world's most northerly floating solar power plant
Alotta, which makes floating solar panel systems, has signed a contract with Norwegian salmon farmer Emilsen Fisk for the delivery of an Alotta Solar Hybrid 120 to its site at Båfjordstranda, Trøndelag. It will be the world’s most northerly floating solar power plant.
The project has received support from the Norwegian government’s green transition agency Enova with a grant of 45%, which the parties said has been an important incentive for realising the green energy solution.
Egil Hjelmeland, sales director at Alotta, said: “We have greatly enjoyed the collaboration with Emilsen Fisk, which really sees the value of investing in innovative and sustainable solutions. This project has been inspiring, and we look forward to delivering a solution that meets its needs and ambitions.”
90,000 kWh annually
Hjelmeland said Alotta delivers turnkey floating photovoltaic and renewable energy solutions tailored for areas with limited grid connectivity. The Alotta Solar Hybrid 120 is a 160 kilowatt (at peak output) system estimated to produce around 80,000–90,000 kWh annually at Emilsen Fisk, making a significant contribution to reducing diesel consumption and cutting CO2 emissions at the site.
The amount of daylight in Trøndelag varies between under five hours per day in January to more than 20 hours per day in mid summer.
"Due to the seasonal variations in daylight, the system will provide the highest output during the summer months when long days and high solar irradiation allow for largely emission-free operations," Hjelmeland told Fish Farming Expert. "During winter, the contribution will be lower, but the system will still help reduce diesel dependency."
Less noise, fewer trips
He added that the system also repurposes an existing fish farming pen as its floating structure, improves the working environment by reducing noise from diesel generators, and minimises boat traffic related to fuel deliveries.
"What’s really exciting is that even in Norway, with its extreme seasonal shifts, this system makes a big impact. Imagine what it can do in regions with even better solar conditions, where consistent sunlight allows for even higher year-round production."
Emilsen Fisk chief executive Roy Emilsen said: “We have always had a strong focus on finding solutions that can make our operations more sustainable. Alotta Solar Hybrid 120 gives us a fantastic opportunity to use clean energy on Båfjordstranda. We look forward to the collaboration with Alotta and to getting this in place in March/April this year.”
Alotta general manager Kari-Elin Hildre said the agreement with Emilsen Fisk shows how the aquaculture industry can lead the way in the transition to more sustainable energy solutions.
“Our collaboration with Emilsen, combined with support from Enova, is a good example of how we can facilitate the green transition in a sector that has a major impact on both the environment and local communities.”
The delivery to Båfjordstranda is planned for March/April 2025. Alotta Solar Hybrid 120 combines floating solar energy with advanced technology, developed specifically to withstand demanding maritime conditions.
