Within the framework of Priority Axis 1 of the Interreg MED 2014-2020 Programme, the MAESTRALE project aims to lay the foundations for a strategy for the deployment of maritime energy in the Mediterranean area. Based on a survey of existing and innovative technologies, barriers and potentials in participating countries, MAESTRALE endeavours to broaden the sharing of knowledge among scientists, policy makers, entrepreneurs and citizens and to encourage effective measures and investments for blue growth.

Despite the existence of several academic and technical studies in the field of blue renewable energy, in the Mediterranean region there is a lack of concrete initiatives and operating facilities. To close this gap, the project partners will cooperate to identify the maritime renewable energy potentials in the participating countries with regard to their physical, legal, technological, economic and social contexts. Issues to be addressed include environmental sustainability, technological innovation, citizen acceptability and possible conflicts with marine ecosystems.

The overall objective of MAESTRALE is to promote the development of blue energy in the Mediterranean area as a key sector of sustainable growth by promoting the creation and transnational networking of innovation clusters.