The Agency for Research, Innovation and Information Society of the Canary Islands (ACIISI), under the Ministry of Universities, Science, Innovation and Culture, leads this territorial cooperation initiative with a budget of 4,738,595.95 euros, co-financed by 85% by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the INTERREG MAC 2021-2027 program. The project will run from October 2026 to September 2029.
The technical kick-off meeting for the project took place on Tuesday, November 10, at the facilities of the Technological Institute of the Canary Islands (ITC) in Pozo Izquierdo, Gran Canaria. During the meeting, participating entities presented planned activities, coordinated initial actions, and discussed scientific and technological objectives, task distribution, timelines, and expected outcomes.
SEAMAC is structured into three areas: research and technological development, knowledge transfer to the business sector, and specialized training and international cooperation. Scientifically, it includes experimental trials of marine technologies, prototype analysis, and studies on their behavior under Macaronesia's specific conditions, as well as research into the production of new renewable fuels like green hydrogen and ammonia. Existing infrastructure such as the RENMARINAS laboratories and the BIOGREENFINERY and RESH2PORT facilities will be utilized.
Collaboration between scientific centers, universities, and companies will be crucial for applying research results. The creation of a specialized innovation network, validation of commercially viable technologies, and knowledge exchange to foster new industrial activities related to energy and the blue economy are planned.
The project involves 13 ERDF beneficiary entities, including ACIISI, the ITC, the universities of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and La Laguna, PLOCAN, Azelmar Tecnología, PROEXCA, the Maritime Cluster of the Canary Islands, the EMERGE association, and the Official College of Industrial Engineers of Eastern Canary Islands. Cooperation extends to West Africa, with university entities from Mauritania and Cabo Verde participating as third-country partners. ASTICAN and Subsea Mechatronics are also involved as associated entities.
SEAMAC falls under the «Smart MAC» priority of the INTERREG MAC 2021-2027 program, aiming to strengthen scientific and technological capabilities, enhance knowledge transfer to businesses, and establish cooperation networks in the field of marine energies and renewable fuels.
