Demonstrating Renewable Energy and Digital Solutions for a Resilient Regional Aquaculture
The EU is funding the three-year Horizon Europe project with €4.9 million
The EU project DANUBEAQUA will work closely with farmers, technology providers, researchers and policymakers to demonstrate practical pathways towards more resilient, energy-efficient and sustainable aquaculture systems in the Danube and Black Sea region. The project brings together a consortium of 20 partners, and receives €4.9 million in EU funding over a three-year period (2026-2029).
The Horizon Europe project DANUBEAQUA has officially started with a kick-off meeting held in Budapest, Hungary, on 22-24th of September 2026. Funded under the Horizon Europe call Supporting the implementation of the Restore our Ocean and Waters Mission (HORIZON-MISS-2025-03), the project brings together a consortium of 20 partners, including two associated partners, from 10 European countries. The project is coordinated by the HUNGARIAN AQUACULTURE TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION PLATFORM (HUNATIP), Hungary, and will receive €4.9 million in EU funding over a three-year period (2026-2029).
Steinbeis Europa Zentrum supported the development of the DANUBEAQUA proposal and continues to provide coordination support as well as lead activities related to communication, dissemination and exploitation throughout the project.
Supporting a Sustainable Transition in Aquaculture
Aquaculture plays an important role in Europe's food system, yet the sector faces growing challenges. Fish farms in the Danube and Black Sea region are increasingly affected by rising energy costs, dependence on fossil fuels, climate-related pressures and the need to improve resource efficiency while safeguarding water quality and biodiversity. At the same time, many producers lack access to proven solutions that can support a sustainable transition.
DANUBEAQUA aims to address these challenges by demonstrating how renewable energy technologies and digital tools can be successfully integrated into aquaculture operations. The project's central objective is to achieve farm- level net-zero energy use by combining renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biogas with advanced digital technologies for energy monitoring and optimisation.
Beyond reducing environmental impacts, the project seeks to strengthen the economic resilience and competitiveness of aquaculture farms while contributing to a more sustainable and climate-neutral blue economy in the Danube and Black Sea region.
From Innovation to Practice
DANUBEAQUA adopts an integrated and multi-actor approach that combines technological innovation, systems modelling, stakeholder engagement and real- world demonstration. The project will develop and validate energy-efficient production methods that integrate renewable energy systems, monitoring technologies and feeding management into daily farm operations. Key innovations include aquaculture-specific Energy Management Systems, digital monitoring platforms, AI-supported decision-support tools, and precision equipment for water-quality monitoring and feeding optimisation. These solutions are designed to improve resource efficiency, reduce energy consumption and support more traceable and environmentally responsible production practices.
A strong emphasis is placed on practical implementation. Renewable energy and digital technologies will be tested and demonstrated at seven pilot sites across five countries (Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania), representing diverse aquaculture systems and regional conditions. Through farm visits, demonstrations and farmer-to-farmer learning activities, the project aims to accelerate the uptake of solutions that are both technically effective and practically applicable.
Fish Farmers at the Centre
A core principle of DANUBEAQUA is the active involvement of fish farmers throughout the project. Farmers will contribute to the co-creation and validation of solutions through consultations, surveys and workshops. In parallel, dedicated training activities will support knowledge transfer on renewable energy, energy efficiency and digital technologies.
The project will also engage young professionals through the FEAP NextGen Academy, helping to build capacity within the sector and support the next generation of aquaculture practitioners.
Consortium and Kick-off Meeting
The DANUBEAQUA consortium brings together research organisations, universities, SMEs, farmer associations, cooperatives, technology providers and policy networks. This broad partnership ensures expertise across the entire aquaculture value chain, from technology development and demonstration to stakeholder engagement and policy recommendations.
During the kick-off meeting in Budapest, project partners also visited one of the demonstration sites, Aranyponty Halászati Zrt. in Rétimajor, Hungary. The visit provided first-hand insight into the impacts that prolonged drought conditions are already having on aquaculture production in the region. A technical tour of the farm showcased existing renewable energy applications, including photovoltaic systems, and highlighted future developments that will be implemented and tested as part of the project.
Over the next three years, DANUBEAQUA will work closely with farmers, technology providers, researchers and policymakers to demonstrate practical pathways towards more resilient, energy-efficient and sustainable aquaculture systems in the Danube and Black Sea region.
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