Seafood Legacy Spain has begun construction of a land-based salmon farming facility in Burela, Lugo, with first harvest expected in 2029.
The project, based on recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology, is designed for annual production of 3,000 tonnes and will occupy more than 25,000 square metres at the Port of Burela.
Total investment exceeds €80 million, with construction scheduled to run through early 2028. Commercial volumes are expected to reach the market in late 2029, implying a lead time of more than three years from construction start to first revenues.
The project has secured €25 million in funding from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), alongside support from the Galician regional government through its venture capital arm Sodiga. Additional capital is being provided by the Norwegian parent company and Spanish investors linked to the agri-food and fisheries sectors.
Project documentation indicates the facility will comprise dedicated water conditioning and production units, including intake, temperature and salinity control systems, alongside grow-out, processing and laboratory infrastructure.
Seafood Legacy Spain said the development is expected to create up to 100 jobs.
The Burela project reflects continued investment in land-based salmon farming in Europe, where RAS systems are being deployed closer to end markets and offer tighter control over production conditions.
However, long construction timelines and high capital requirements remain defining features of the model. Energy costs and execution during the scaling phase are likely to be key determinants of performance once the facility moves toward commercial operation.