Candela and Canopy Power have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to revolutionize water mobility in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
The partnership aims to deliver a fossil-free transport ecosystem for island resorts and coastal communities. By combining Candela’s long-range P-12 electric ferry with Canopy Power’s microgrid solution with floating solar and battery storage technologies, the two companies are offering a solution that breaks the hospitality industry’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.
For many island destinations in the APAC region, reliance on diesel generators and conventional ferries drives up operational costs and carbon emissions. This new collaboration addresses both challenges by linking energy generation directly to consumption.
Under this partnership, Canopy Power will design microgrids, based on Ocean Sun’s floating solar technology that captures solar energy on the water’s surface, which is then used to fast-charge Candela’s P-12 vessels. The P-12, which “flies” above the waves on computer-guided hydrofoils, uses 80% less energy than traditional hulls, making it the first electric ferry capable of long operational ranges at high speeds.
The collaboration is built on the shared vision that sustainability drives profitability. The companies intend to demonstrate that the switch to electric hydrofoiling, powered by on-site renewable energy, significantly reduces operational expenditures (OPEX) compared to diesel alternatives.
“Fossil fuel dependency is the single biggest cost driver for remote island operators,” said Björn Antonsson, Regional CEO for APAC at Candela. “By partnering with Canopy Power, we can offer a complete ecosystem. We aren’t just selling a boat; we are offering a way to turn sunlight into silent, luxurious high-speed transport that pays for itself through fuel savings.”
The companies will work together to engage stakeholders, policymakers, and resort owners across the region. The goal is to showcase use cases where the combination of technologies creates a premium guest experience—eliminating the noise, vibration, and smell of diesel engines—while reducing the carbon emission and protecting the fragile marine environments that attract guests in the first place.
“The combination of the floating charging station solution with Candela’s ultra-efficient electric vessels is a game changer for the region,” said Mahasti Motazedi, Strategy Director at Canopy Power. “For the first time, we are enabling island resorts to adopt a sustainable and clean water mobility solution, eliminating reliance on diesel.”
