Havlandet in Florø shall soon begin land-based production of salmon using RAS technology in a pilot plant which is currently under construction. What is unique is that the salmon produced at this site will reach it’s harvest weight completely on land. The experience gained from this pilot plant shall be used for investing in a large-scale plant in Norway’s westernmost city.
Can reach 30,000 tons
After more than two years of meticulous preparation and planning, Havlandet in Florø shall begin construction of its first land-based salmon production facility with RAS technology. Havlandet has more than 17 years of experience with land-based farming of other species.
-The first step in the long-term development is to produce two generations within the pilot plant, says Geir Johannesen of Havlandet Aquaculture.
5 kg fish on land
-There are a number of RAS facilities in operation, but not many have taken the step up and produced fish to a harvestable weight, says Børge Søraas VP Landbased in ScaleAQ.
This is their first project in Norway where salmon shall live their entire lives on land.
-Previously this has only been achieved outside of the country’s borders. We look forward to starting this project and expect this to be a great showcase for both us and Havlandet, says Søraas.
-The philosophy is to begin on a small scale and then take it step by step, based on systematic learning and professional development. Joining us on our team we have ScaleAQ who will supply and install the RAS technology to the plant. Currently we have a license of 10,000 tons of salmon onshore, although plans are to build a larger facility based on the experience of the pilot. With the available area and production facilities a capacity of more than 30,000 tons of salmon can be produced in addition to a significant production of cod, he says.
Looking ahead over the next 30-50 years at Fjord Base in Fløro, one shall see a gradual phasing in of land-based fish farming where at the same time oil and gas operations shall see a demise.
The ‘green shift’ is underway!
Innovation and autonomous solutions
There is a clear goal from both parties that the cooperation should also include any development work. ScaleAQ wishes to link the plant to its existing project activity of automation and development of onshore facilities. Efforts are being made to develop new technology for data collection, analysis, autonomy and maintenance of smolt and post smolt plants.
– With today’s technology, many decisions are made based on subjective perceptions and experiences, says Bård Skjelstad CTO of ScaleAQ.
-There are many manual operations that could have been made safer and more efficient both for the fish and personnel, these could have provided us with data for constant evaluation, control and development.
In the long term, we foresee a greater autonomy, for both technological and biological reasons.
ScaleAQ believe that the experience gained from the Havlandet project will become of great importance for the industry in the future, not least due to our partner being very motivated towards this approach,” concludes Skjelstad.
Construction starts January 2020
Some ground work has already started, but the project in earnest shall start in January 2020. The first smolt will be introduced in Q3 2020, and If all goes to plan, the first generation of fish will be slaughtered in the autumn of 2021.
About ScaleAQ
ScaleAQ is a result of 40 years of aquaculture experience and consists of the companies Steinsvik, Aqualine and AquaOptima, Moen Marin and Pan Logica. With our experience and unique portfolio of products and services, we aim to be the world’s leading provider of technology and infrastructure for land and sea-based aquaculture. We are a partner and advisor for our clients’ land and sea-based aquaculture projects. We have headquarters in Trondheim, Norway and 27 offices in 11 different countries around the world.
About Havlandet
Havlandet is mostly known for their production of cod smolt. In a period where cod farming has been difficult, Havlandet opted to continue their development of the cod brood stock, and now has the 6th generation of brood stock. The cod is better adapted to farming than ever and there are a number of indications that it thrives in RAS systems on land. Havlandet are now experiencing increased demand for cod smolt as fish farmers have again started cod farming. Havlandet is also a major producer of wrasse in its facilities at Fjord Base in Florø, Norway.
