This new partnershipaims to bring a new generation of climate‑resilient freshwater supply to theMediterranean.

In January we announced the signing of a memorandum ofunderstanding (MOU) with Eau d’Azur, the public utility responsible for waterand sanitation services across the 51 municipalities of the Nice Métropolis.The agreement marks OceanWell’s first deployment of its deep sea waterharvesting technology outside of the US as we look to deliver on our mission todeploy 15 water farms globally within the next decade, adding 1 MAF (1.2bn m³)of new freshwater to the global supply.

Signedin Nice, this collaboration reflects a shared commitment to diversifying watersupplies in the face of climate change with a new supply of high-qualitydrinking water, while protecting fragile marine ecosystems. Testing for the firstdeployment is set to begin in 2026, which will include the start of anindependent environmental impact assessment.

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Why Nice and Why Now

Nice has made its intentions to become a hub for cleantechnologies and the Blue Economy clear, hosting Nice Climate summit in October2024 and the United Nations Oceans Conference in June 2025 where it laid aclear benchmark for technologies that protect Earth’s most vital resource, theocean. It’s been a territory we’ve shared a aclearly aligned vision with since our very first meeting and we’re proud to beadvancing our technology there.

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Jamie Spotswood, Senior Director of Business Developmentat OceanWell says of the Nice partnership: Eau d’Azur is one of the mostprogressive water agencies globally, where environment-forward thinking is atthe forefront of its long-term planning. Our alignment quickly became clear andwe are delighted to move forward in this partnership, marking Nice as the firstEuropean testing site for our technology. Nice has a clear plan to safeguardits drinking water supply over the coming decades, but not if it comes at anenvironmental cost. That is why OceanWell exists and we are going to be makingsure we demonstrate that philosophy in practice here.”The partnershipbetween OceanWell and Eau d’Azur grew out of an economic mission to Californiain June 2024, when Team Nice Côte d’Azur identified strong potential forOceanWell’s technology in the Mediterranean region. With its internationallyoriented maritime innovation ecosystem and strong local partners, Nice emergedas a natural home for OceanWell’s European expansion.

To support the project, OceanWell has established itsFrench headquarters in Nice under OceanWell France SAS, reinforcing itslong‑term commitment to the region.  For Eau d’Azur, thecollaboration represents an opportunity to explore new tools for water securityas climate pressures intensify. The additional water supply; particularly coldwater—acts as a powerful economic force multiplier, generating value whereverit is deployed. In this context, Nice is strategically positioning itself as ahub for the [1] blue economy,offering the skilled workforce, institutional support, and innovation ecosystemnecessary for OceanWell to thrive over the coming decades.

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From Pilot to Mediterranean Demonstrator

The first deployment  is intended to begin in 2026. During thisperiod, the project will include:

· An environmental impactassessment

· Ongoing marine ecosystemmonitoring

· Site‑specificengineering and technical studies

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The long‑term vision isto secure a reliable, high‑quality freshwater supply for the region whilesafeguarding marine biodiversity at every turn.

Building on Momentum in California and Beyond

The French project builds on OceanWell’s progress inNorth America, where the company is advancing Water Farm 1 inCalifornia’s Santa Monica Bay in collaboration with seven regional wateragencies. Together, these efforts underscore OceanWell’s global strategy:supplement strained water supplies with innovative infrastructure that isenergy‑efficient, environmentally responsible, and adaptable to localneeds.  As climate change reshapes howcommunities think about water, partnerships like the one between OceanWell andEau d’Azur point toward a more resilient future; onewhere technology, public utilities, and marine stewardship work hand inhand.  The Côte d’Azur project is morethan a pilot. It is a signal that sustainable subsea water farming can play ameaningful role in securing freshwater for coastal communities around theworld. 

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‍To learn more about OceanWell, visit oceanwellwater.com

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