The Government today authorised the grant of surface rights on a parcel of land owned by the Polytechnic University of Viana do Castelo (UPVC) to the City Council for the construction of a Center for Technology and Innovation in Ocean Energies and Technologies.
According to the order published today in the Official Journal, the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation authorizes the transfer of the parcel of land, measuring 4,632 square metres, located at Praia Norte, for a period of 30 years.
The document states that, by establishing the surface rights, the compensation approved by Estamo (the public company that manages the State’s real estate assets) is due, and the municipality may opt for the annual payment installment of €21,240, or a lump-sum payment of €326,500.
The new infrastructure, with an investment of €5.1 million, is intended for the Sustemare Association — Center for Technology and Innovation in Ocean Energies and Technologies.
The construction of the facility will be financed by the Norte 2030 Regional Programme, with the municipality of Viana do Castelo bearing the costs related to construction and supervision of the works.
The architectural and specialties project will be undertaken by UPVC, with an investment of €123,000, with Sustemare – Center for Technology and Innovation in Ocean Energies and Technologies responsible for the equipment procurement and the revision of the project.
The establishment of Sustemare was formalised in July last, with the board of directors chaired by the UPVC rector, Carlos Rodrigues, and the first member the president of the Viana do Castelo City Council, Luís Nobre.
After the completion of the construction of the infrastructure, the Viana do Castelo City Council will hand over the building’s management to Sustemare.
Previously, UPVC explained that Sustemare “is born with a clear mission to drive the sustainable transition in the exploration of ocean resources, through the integration of science, technology and economy”.
The center “will structure its intervention in Blue Energy, Ocean Technologies and a core of Complementary Activities and Services, especially focused on minimizing the environmental impacts of maritime infrastructures”.
The “operation of this new technology and innovation centre will be deeply linked to the business reality, especially to the companies already established or in the process of being established in the ocean energy sector, which face technical, logistical and environmental challenges inherent to the marine environment.”
The “structure provides for specialized laboratories, an industrial hall and a team of around 40 highly qualified professionals by 2030, coordinated with the resources of the founding scientific partners.”
The “expected impacts in the Viana do Castelo region are significant, ranging from the creation of skilled employment and attraction of talent, to repositioning the territory in the new sea economy, in alignment with the emerging value chains at national and European levels.”
