AKVA group has signed a contract to design and deliver a land-based recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) smolt facility for Årdal Aqua AS in Årdal, Rogaland.
The facility will have a production capacity of 6 million smolt per year at an average weight of 100 grams. The contract has an estimated value of NOK 200 million, with design and engineering work scheduled to start in the first half of 2026.
The project adds to a growing pipeline of land-based RAS developments in Norway, where producers are seeking greater control over smolt quality, biosecurity, and production predictability as part of broader strategies to improve biological performance at sea.
AKVA group said the agreement covers both design and delivery of the facility. The company is a global supplier of technology and services for land-based and sea-based aquaculture, with a portfolio spanning equipment, systems, and complete installations.
The contract was disclosed on 25 February 2026 and is considered inside information under the EU Market Abuse Regulation.