Floating solar is opening new possibilities for agriculture

🌞 Floating solar is opening new possibilities for agriculture.

As water scarcity and rising energy costs challenge the sector, floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems are emerging as an efficient solution for farms with reservoirs, irrigation ponds and artificial lagoons.

By reducing water evaporation, generating clean on-site energy and improving panel performance in warm climates, FPV installations help farmers save resources while increasing efficiency. They also make use of existing water surfaces, avoiding the occupation of cultivable land.

Challenges remain, from installation complexity to corrosion-resistant materials and environmental assessments, but the potential is clear. 🌱

With proper planning, floating solar can become a key ally for a more sustainable, competitive and resilient agricultural sector.

Globaltec RenewableEnergy FloatingSolar AgriTech SustainableAgriculture

Building the future also means taking responsibility for it

🌍 Building the future also means taking responsibility for it.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is much more than a compliance requirement, it is the commitment companies make to act ethically and contribute to the economic, social, and environmental development of the communities where they operate.

It goes far beyond profit. CSR integrates values such as respect for human rights, transparency, environmental protection and long-term sustainability. Companies that adopt this approach not only generate positive impact, but also strengthen their reputation, stakeholder trust and resilience in a rapidly changing world.

At Globaltec, CSR is part of our identity. Since 2022, we have been certified under ISO 26000:2010, the international standard that guides organizations in responsible governance, community engagement and sustainable practices.

This framework helps us ensure that every project, from engineering design to on-site execution, contributes meaningfully to development, supports local capabilities and protects the environment. 🌱

Because investing in CSR is investing in a fairer, safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

#Globaltec #CSR #ISO26000 #Sustainability #ResponsibleEngineering #Impact

At Globaltec, we believe collaboration is the foundation of sustainable progress

At Globaltec, we believe collaboration is the foundation of sustainable progress.
 
When Africa and Europe join forces, opportunities grow, and solutions become truly transformative. 🌍

On 24 and 25 November, we took part in the AU, EU Business Forum 2025 in Luanda, an event that brings together high-level leaders, investors and institutions to connect capital, innovation and concrete development opportunities.

The theme, #strongertogether, resonated strongly with us.
The Forum highlighted how essential it is to combine local expertise with international capabilities, fostering partnerships that can unlock bankable projects and deliver long-term impact across key sectors such as energy, agriculture, infrastructure, health and digital transformation.

For Globaltec, participating in this space reaffirms our commitment to building bridges, strengthening regional ecosystems and supporting initiatives that contribute to Africa’s sustainable growth. 🤝

#strongertogether #Globaltec #AUEUBusinessForum #SustainableDevelopment #EngineeringForImpact

Solar-powered pump systems connected to controllers for growers

🌍💧☀️ Water, energy, and autonomy: a powerful combination cultivating Africa’s future.


In many rural areas of the African continent, access to water for agricultural use remains a crucial challenge. In light of this reality, solar-powered pumping systems combined with controllers are an efficient solution tailored to the needs of growers.

These systems operate without having to connect to the power grid or consume fossil fuels, which significantly reduces operating costs and environmental impact. They also promote energy autonomy and strengthen local capacity to manage water resources responsibly. From a technical perspective, they are low-maintenance, extremely durable, and adaptable to different production scales—from small family farms to agricultural cooperatives with shared infrastructure. This versatility makes them an essential tool in the promotion of resilient agricultural models.

But the impact of these systems extends beyond the technical. By reducing the physical burden of manual irrigation, they free up time and energy that can be dedicated to educational, economic, or community activities. This shift is especially important for women and young people living in rural areas, who traditionally assume these tasks in the Sub-Saharan region. With more time available and less physical work required, these groups can become more actively involved in decision-making processes, local entrepreneurship, and educational activities, thus promoting more inclusive development.

The expansion of these technologies, coupled with training programmes and financing schemes, has the potential to profoundly transform development opportunities in vulnerable farming communities. Their implementation not only improves productivity and food security, but strengthens the social and economic fabric, creates jobs, and promotes a more just, equitable, and sustainable development model.

👩🏾‍🌾🌱 Here’s to more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient farming! 💪🏾📈✨

The role of agriculture in development

In many developing countries, agriculture is the main driver of the economy and the primary source of income for the population. But it is more than just an economic activity: it is a fundamental pillar of development and opportunity. Why is investing in the sector so important?

🌾 Job creation: In rural areas, agriculture provides employment for millions of people. According to the World Bank, forty-three percent of the population lives in rural areas, while 26% of women and 27% of men depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. Agricultural growth is 2x-4x more effective than other sectors in raising the incomes of the poorest segments of society.

🌱 Food security: Improving agricultural productivity means ensuring access to nutritious and affordable food for all. Since 2000, cereal yields per hectare have increased from 3,069 kg/ha to 4,182 kg/ha (World Bank).

💧 Innovation and sustainability: Technology and efficient irrigation systems help boost productivity, conserve natural resources, and reduce poverty. The UN estimates that an additional $140 billion per year is needed for agriculture and rural development to end poverty and hunger, $50 billion of which should come from the private sector.

🌍 Infrastructure development: Investment in agricultural projects not only improves crop yields, but also drives the creation of essential infrastructure, such as roads, storage systems, and cold chains that link farmers to local and global markets.

Ultimately, strengthening the agricultural sector is key to achieving inclusive economic development, reducing inequalities, and moving toward a more equitable and sustainable future.

Greenhouses

🌱 Given the scarcity of natural resources and the increasing demand for food, efficient year-round production under controlled conditions has become essential for the future of agriculture. In this context, greenhouses serve as a key tool to ensure a constant, sustainable food supply.

Greenhouses are structures designed to create suitable environmental conditions that favour crop growth. They have evolved over centuries. The Romans used talcum powder, and the Asians used oiled paper, but the real revolution came in the 13th century in Italy with the first glass greenhouses. These rapidly spread to England, where they were known as “conservatories”, and to France, where they were known as “orangeries” and were designed for the cultivation of orange trees. These structures were so successful that they ushered in an era of innovation.

Today, greenhouses are an advanced solution that enables year-round, sustainable production. By regulating factors such as temperature, light, humidity, and water use, farmers can optimise production in all weather conditions and use fertiliser, pesticides, and water more efficiently, while greenhouses serve as protective barriers against pests and disease. This technology not only ensures crop stability, it also helps meet the challenges of climate change and natural resource scarcity.

Hydroponic Systems

Hydroponics refers to an agronomic technique in which crops are grown without soil, receiving the necessary nutrition through irrigation. Hydroponics are typically used in highly technological systems, where the aim is to maximise yields, while minimising water and energy consumption. Thus, by using its own substrate, crops are able to grow in areas with good weather but poor or contaminated soils. Moreover, the technique allows for better environmental control by reducing the creation of pollutants and leachates. 

👨‍🌾👩‍🌾🚜💧🌱🌾

One key aspect of this system lies in the selection of the substrate, which can be (i) organic, like  coconut fibre, (II) inorganic, like perlite or rockwool, or (iii) directly floating in the nutrient solution on bare roots. The substrates are homogeneous and maintain their endaphological properties, minimising spatial variability. In other words, they can be characterized and monitored easily, providing much more exhaustive controls.   

Nowadays, there is a wide variety of hydroponic systems, which are becoming increasingly affordable and more compact, with lighter and more versatile structures. There is no doubt that potential exists, however, it is important to bear in mind that production costs are high and specialized personnel are required. In other words, before investing, we must consider the market value of the product and whether it would be profitable to produce with this technology. At GLOBALTEC, we are committed to hydroponic systems, advising our clients throughout the life of the project.

Globaltec Desarrollos e Ingeniería has won a contract to carry out the Engineering Studies for the Rehabilitation of 1500 ha in Angola.

📣  We are pleased to announce that Globaltec Desarrollos e Ingeniería, in partnership with Hispatec, OTK, and Civile, has been awarded the contract to conduct engineering studies to rehabilitate 1,500 ha/province of irrigation systems in Huíla and Cuanza Sul, under the Commercial Agriculture Development Project (PDAC) for Angola’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

The project, funded by the World Bank and the French Development Agency, is aligned with Angola’s strategy to diversify its economy. The rehabilitation of irrigation systems in these provinces is an essential part of the PDAC, which aims to boost agricultural production and promote commercial development in the country. The initiative also includes significant environmental and social components to ensure sustainable and responsible development.

The project, which is scheduled to begin in October and will last 12 months, represents a challenge and a responsibility that we assume with total commitment and dedication.

🌲 🌳 👨‍🏫 👷‍♂️

Drones and Satellites: Allies in precision agriculture

Remote sensing technology is revolutionizing crop and resource management in agriculture. When used in conjunction, drones and satellites help significantly improve agricultural efficiency and productivity.

Satellites provide a continuous, overall view of the terrain, facilitating precise irrigation management, the monitoring of crop development, and the assessment of soil fertility. They also help predict field productivity and detect crop problems for early intervention. Drones, meanwhile, have the ability to capture centimetre-sized details to perform these functions with greater precision. Together, these technologies improve the agricultural efficiency and sustainability.

Choosing between drones and satellites depends on the needs of each farmer, but using them in combination has proven to be the most effective solution. Satellites are suitable for monitoring vast swathes of terrain and detecting changes over time. They can operate anywhere around the globe, regardless of weather conditions. For their part, drones provide high-resolution imagery for detailed inspections and specific tasks in smaller areas, flying below the clouds.

With regard to autonomy and regulation, satellites operate autonomously without territorial restrictions, capturing data continuously. Drones require operators and are subject to regulations that limit their use in certain areas.

The integration of drones and satellites is transforming agriculture, enabling the more precise and efficient management of crops. Together, these remote sensing systems are taking agriculture to new heights of efficiency and sustainability.

The future of agriculture is in air and space! 🌱🛰️✈️

#wegetitdone #globaltec #drones #satelites #agriculture #farming #crops #technology

National Storage Plan for Agricultural Products in Senegal

Plan nacional de almacenaje de productos agricolas en Senegal

📆 On 17 April 2024, Globaltec submitted the results of the work carried out on the “Master Plan – National Plan for Agricultural Product Storage” to its Senegalese client, ORSRE (Organe de Régulation du Système de Récépissé d’Entrepôt), which is part of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The objective of the Master Plan is to realise a study on the development of a national network of agricultural product storage system in Senegal. ✅

Plan nacional de almacenaje de productos agricolas en Senegal

Globaltec is very proud to have conducted this study in collaboration with Organe de Régulation du Système de Régulation de Marchandises au Sénégal (ORSRE), through a multinational technical team with support from local technicians. The implementation of this network of storage infrastructures will help strengthen and develop the agricultural value chain in Senegal, while improving the country’s food security and sovereignty, a crucial issue in Africa.

📈 📉 The study was commissioned by the government of the Republic of Senegal, from within the current Ministry of Commerce and Industry, carried out by Globaltec, and funded by the FIEM Non-Reimbursable Fund, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business, and the Economic and Commercial Office of the Spanish Embassy in Dakar under the Spanish government’s Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan, financed by the European Union (Next Generation EU), and managed in collaboration with ICO and Deutsche Bank.

#wegetitdone #globaltec #dakar #nextgenerationfunds #sdg2030 #africa