BORA BORA
InterContinental Resort
2006 | ~2 000 TR – 1,5 MWc
From engineering firm to turnkey provider
Founded in 2012 in French Polynesia, Airaro is the world leader in High-Performance SWAC technology, systems that harness the natural cold of deep ocean waters to cool buildings and infrastructure while reducing electricity consumption by over 90%.
Since 2006, our founding team has designed and supported the only 3 commercial High-Performance SWAC systems in the world. The most recent, the Tahiti Hospital, is also the largest ever built: 6 MWc capacity, 93% energy savings, 7,300 tons of CO₂ avoided every year. Airaro led its design and oversaw its construction as Owner’s Representative.
Drawing on this unique hands-on experience, Airaro is now evolving into a turnkey provider, delivering complete solutions to island territories: sovereign, low-carbon, and economically viable cooling.
Backed by new industrial partnerships, institutional investment, and growing international recognition (Solar Impulse, World Bank, Index Blue Tech), the company is now positioned to accelerate technology deployment across the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, and France’s overseas territories.
Our Technologies
Click to discover each technology
High-Performance SWAC Solutions
Deep seawater air conditioning – 93% energy savings, COP greater than 30
Also called « Pure SWAC » by the World Bank
✓ Very low energy consumption
✓ Less dependence on fossil fuels, particularly in island areas
✓ No refrigerant gas required
SWAC + Reverse Osmosis
Seawater drawn from great depths is particularly clear and contains far fewer suspended particles than surface water. It can therefore be used to produce fresh water by reverse osmosis, greatly reducing the amount of pre-treatment usually required for SWRO.
Typical treatment process options for SWRO pretreatmentSource: S. Boerlage and N. Nada / Desalination and Water Treatment 55 (2015)
✓ Drastic reduction in chemical pretreatment required for osmosis
✓ Longer membrane life
✓ Lower operating costs
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)
Electricity from thermal gradient – Guaranteed 24/7 power without storage
1. Warm surface water (>25°C) + cold deep water (5°C)
2. Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) operating with NH₃
3. Condensation and ocean return
✓ Guaranteed 24/7 renewable energy without storage
✓ Low land footprint
✓ No need for rare earths and strategic materials
Additional applications of SWAC technology
SWAC infrastructure paves the way for innovative high-value applications
Green Data Center
Low-carbon cooling for data centers
DSRO
FLOCEAN Partnership
Deep Sea Reverse Osmosis
Discover SWAC in video
Unique Track Record
The only 3 high-performance SWAC systems worldwide
TETIAROA – THE BRANDO
The Brando Resort
2014 | ~400 TR – 2,4 MWc
100% energy self-sufficient resort
TAHITI – CHPF TAAONE
French Polynesia Hospital Center
2022 | ~1 200 TR – 6 MWc | Budget 30M EUR
€2.5M/year energy savings (93%)
7,300 tons CO₂ avoided/year
Our History
Proven and Measurable Impact
Results from the High Performance SWAC at the French Polynesia Hospital Center (Taaone)
Energy consumption
-93%
- Consumption : 9 GWh → 0,7 GWh/year (-93%)
- Savings : Over 2,5M EUR/year (300M CFP)
- ROI : ~8 years
- Carbon footprint : Offset within the first year
Environmental Impact
-7 300tCO₂/an
- Over 7,000 tons of CO₂ prevented annually
- Reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels
- Eliminated harmful refrigerants
- Cold water discharged at a depth calculated so as not to disturb the marine environment
Social Impact
+ QWL
Quality of Work Life Conditions
- Improved staff working conditions
- Improved patient comfort
- Saving reinvested in medical services
- Sustainable local jobs created
Innovation to Address Global Challenges
Cutting-edge technologies for island territories
International Expansion
Studies commissioned by the World Bank (Caribbean region)
Export to French overseas territories, Caribbean and Indian Ocean
Identification of potential clients across the entire Caribbean region
Goal: 10% of global market within the next 12 months
Strategic FLOCEAN Partnership
Norwegian pioneer in DSRO (Deep Sea Reverse Osmosis desalination)
Solutions addressing global freshwater scarcity
Focus: island communities and water stress
“Flocean One” launched on June 30, 2026. 1Mio liters per day of drinking water, from over 500m depth.
The Team
David Wary
Founder - CEO
David has taken on all roles in the 3 HP (High-Performance) SWAC systems in Polynesia: Construction Director in Bora Bora (2005-2006), project lead in Tetiaroa (2008-2012), and Assistant Project Owner for Tahiti Hospital (2016-2022).
He has led design teams for maritime structures, deep pipelines, and ROV teams with repairs beyond 500m depth.
Jean Hourçourigaray
Founder - President
Jean has alternated between private and public sector roles, with a common thread of initiating the energy transition in French Polynesia.
In the public sector, Jean raised €25M for the SWAC project at the French Polynesia Hospital Center (from AFD, EIB, and ADEME). In the private sector, he developed the first photovoltaic farms in French Polynesia.
Stéphanie Mareva Failloux
Vice-President - Head of Institutional Relations
A recognized figure in the international innovation ecosystem. President of Harvard Club of France and Innovation Outre-Mer (IOM). Nearly 30 years of experience at the intersection of finance, institutional governance, and venture philanthropy.
Stéphanie leverages her international network in finance, innovation and public policy to support the sustainable transformation of the energy sector. She was appointed Knight of the Legion of Honor in 2026.
Stéphane Bitot
Methods & Data Lead
Initially at Carbone 4, Stéphane has acquired 20 years of experience in project development as a consultant, renewable energy project manager and technical advisor to several ministers in French Polynesia.
Stephane is based in mainland France, in charge of methodology and data.
Recognized by Industry Leaders
Institutional partners and international labels
Studies across the entire Caribbean region
“Pure SWAC” recognition
Institutional investor
Partner (Norway) – DSRO Leader
Pacific Winner 2023
Member and BlueTech Winner
Member of French BlueTech Index – Energy category
Cluster Member
Press Coverage
National and international media coverage
MER ET MARINE – 2025
“The SWAC specialist bets on deep-sea desalination”
RADIO 1 – 2025
“20 billion in five years: SWAC, Polynesia’s future export industry”
BFM – 2025
Overseas Special Edition
FRANCE 5 – 2025
“C Pas Si Loin” Documentary – CHPF SWAC
LE MONDE DU DROIT – 2025
“Sofidep enters Airaro’s capital”
OUTREMER 360° – 2023
“Innovation: A Polynesian and a Caledonian startup join the first French Blue Tech index”
SCIENCE & VIE – Av. 2022
“Air conditioning from the deep blue”
LE MONDE – 2021
“Energy: World’s largest seawater air conditioning system commissioned in Tahiti”
LA TRIBUNE – Sept. 2016
“Sustainable development: Marlon Brando and Captain Nemo’s wishes fulfilled”
