Sea Eight, the sustainable aquaculture subsidiary of the Atitlan business group, has presented the Basordas Project, a public-private initiative in collaboration with the Basque Government that will lead to the creation of the largest sole farming complex in Europe, with a production capacity of up to 3,000 tonnes per year and an estimated investment of €170 million.
The project will be located in the former industrial site of the Lemoiz nuclear power plant (Bizkaia), an area that will be transformed to host an internationally benchmarked aquaculture facility, leveraging its existing infrastructure, access to the sea, and availability of space for industrial activity.
The complex will cover a total surface area of 46,600 square metres and will be developed in three phases over the next ten years. The first phase is scheduled to begin construction in 2027 and will enable the production of the first sole in 2029, while market entry is planned for 2031, in line with the species’ biological cycles.
A strategic project for the Basque Country and the food industry
The Basque Government has presented the project as a strategic initiative to strengthen the Basque food sector through the introduction of new aquaculture-based production models, as part of its commitment to diversification and modernisation of the industry.
Lehendakari Imanol Pradales emphasised that it is: “a project that aspires to be an international benchmark, bringing together R&D+i, talent and cutting-edge technology. Economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. It is a project for the coming decades, with a public-private investment of more than €170 million over the next 10 years.”
He also added that: “The Basque Country is once again aligning itself with the most advanced countries, which are repurposing large industrial or energy infrastructures that are no longer in use, such as oil platforms, taking advantage of their access to the sea for aquaculture activities. And we are doing so alongside Europe and its Ocean Pact, which establishes the blue economy as a key sector for food sovereignty, decarbonisation and biodiversity protection.”
For her part, the Regional Minister for Food, Rural Development, Agriculture and Fisheries, Amaia Barredo, stated: “This project represents an opportunity to advance the modernisation of the food sector, incorporating new productive and technological capabilities that enhance its competitiveness and its ability to adapt to future challenges.”
Institutional presentation and public-private collaboration
The project was presented last Monday at Basordas cove, where the facilities of the former Lemoiz plant are located. The event was attended by Lehendakari Imanol Pradales and Minister Amaia Barredo, alongside business representatives Aritza Rodero, CEO of Grupo Atitlan, and Jaime León, CEO of Sea Eight.
During the event, Rodero highlighted that: “the Basordas project combines Sea Eight’s vision of building an internationally leading facility with the Basque Government’s commitment to strengthening the industrial and social fabric of the Basque Country.”
Meanwhile, Jaime León stated that: “there are highly valuable synergies with the innovation and research ecosystem of the Basque Country.”
Investment, employment and project phases
The project involves a public-private investment of €170 million, to be deployed progressively over three phases during a ten-year period.
It is expected to create around 200 direct jobs, including technical, research, production, management and support service roles.
Initial production will reach 1,000 tonnes of turbot per year in the first phase, rising to a full capacity of 3,000 tonnes once fully operational.
Infrastructure and production process
The complex will integrate all stages of the sole production cycle, from hatching and larval rearing to fattening and preparation for commercialisation. It will include dedicated facilities such as:
The project will incorporate advanced Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology, enabling up to 97% water reuse and ensuring wastewater purification.
Sea Eight will also implement its own R&D systems focused on genetic and reproductive improvement, nutrition, health, animal welfare and product traceability, aligned with ESG criteria and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Role of innovation and technology centres
The project will collaborate with the Basque network of research and technology centres, particularly AZTI, a leading institution in marine and food research. Its contribution will be key in areas such as turbot aquaculture, RAS systems, nutrition, health and animal welfare.
Transformation of Lemoiz and preliminary works
The project includes the transformation of a disused industrial site into a productive asset for the food sector.
Site preparation began in February with the repair of the outer breakwater, carried out by Azpilur Euskadi at a cost of €2.85 million plus VAT. The company will also be responsible for adapting the facilities.
The initiative follows years of planning, technical studies and feasibility analyses, as other companies interested in the site withdrew due to climatic constraints.
Previously, a consortium formed by SeaLink Technologies, Grupo Martiko, Grupo Balfegó and Haugland Gruppen explored the project, although it was eventually dissolved, leaving Sea Eight as the sole developer.
Territorial context and land use
The Lehendakari noted that the site could be compatible with other business uses or with a historical memory project linked to the former nuclear plant, built during the Franco era and targeted by ETA, where five workers were killed: José María Ryan Estrada, Ángel Pascual Múgica, Alberto Negro Viguera, Andrés Guerra Gómez and Ángel Baños Espada.
The Basque Government acquired ownership of the land in 2019 and has since promoted its development, despite opposition from some local councils calling for participatory processes regarding its future use.
Economic impact and production model
The project aims to strengthen the Basque food value chain, increase marine protein production and consolidate a stable, traceable and sustainable production model.
It will also generate synergies with food processing, logistics and commercialisation, fostering a more integrated and innovative industrial ecosystem.
The development will be gradual, balancing investment and growth, and contributing to balanced territorial development in coastal areas.
International experience of Atitlan
Atitlan’s platform, which operates four plants in Spain (Gijón and Cambados) and Portugal (Torreira and Póvoa de Varzim), reinforces the group’s view of aquaculture as a strategic sector: “the aquaculture industry is consolidating itself as a key tool to increase fish production, provide supply stability and enhance the competitiveness of the Spanish food industry.”
About Sea Eight
“At SEA EIGHT we are dedicated to farming sole through sustainable land-based processes.”
For sole farming, SEA EIGHT uses a world-leading technology developed in Spain called RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture System). This next-generation production system, driven by the company’s commitment to R&D (Research and Development), operates in land-based tanks with no impact on the marine environment. It is highly sustainable.
“Our mission is to contribute to the health of as many people as possible and of the ecosystem. We ensure one of the best foods in an efficient and responsible way. We produce tasty, safe, high-quality dsole through sustainable and innovative aquaculture based on efficient processes that respect the environment, people and other species, and we seek to inspire others with our style and way of doing things.”
Conclusion
With the Basordas Project, Sea Eight and Grupo Atitlan, in collaboration with the Basque Government, are driving a strategic initiative aimed at positioning the Basque Country as an international benchmark in advanced aquaculture, combining technological innovation, sustainability and industrial transformation in a site of significant historical relevance.
cloud technology axon
Xcalibur Smart Mapping, recognised as the global leader in airborne...
