The efficiency of the electricity sector is one of the biggest battlefields for companies, public institutions and citizens. Although we might think that part of the solution is to increase resources, the truth is that what is most needed is to manage it in a more efficient way. more efficient use of existing resourcesThis efficient management responds to two main reasons: the first, of a for all Economic commitment , is based on the need for energy development not to generate additional costs that end up impacting consumers. The second is the Environmental, in order to minimise the impact of human activities on our environment. However, although both objectives are clearly priorities, achieving them is not always easy.
Canary Islands It is a clear example of a region that has historically had problems achieving an efficient energy model. The archipelago, due to its remoteness and geographic isolation, was overly dependent on the rest of Spain and on a model highly dependent on oilHowever, to meet the challenges of the future, an ambitious plan has been proposed for transform its energy modelThe aim is for the Canary Islands to become an example of sustainability, financial autonomy and energy efficiency.
The three problems of the Canary Islands energy model (and their solutions)
In its struggle to improve the efficiency and sustainability of its energy network, the Canary Islands face three major problems:
- Su geographic isolation, which prevents interconnection with the rest of the national electricity system and generates additional costs.
- La oil dependence, since much of the electricity generation is based on fossil fuels.
- The financial overcosts derived from maintaining six isolated electrical subsystems, one for each island.
1) From geographic isolation ... to interconnection
The main challenge for the Canary Islands is the geographic isolationThis situation has forced the islands to develop six electrical subsystems isolated from each other, which means that each island must have its own infrastructure and energy production. associated additional costs This strategy is extremely detrimental.
Despite this challenge, solutions have begun to be developed. Since 2011, with the MAR project, Red Eléctrica de España has made progress in tasks of enhancement and meshing of the electricity grid to ensure security of supply. Work has also begun on developing connections between the islands to increase competition and the integration of renewable sources into these networks.
Between 2015 and 2020, Red Eléctrica has invested almost 1.000 millones de euros to modernize the transportation of electricity in the Canary Islands and improve the connection between islands. This will not only allow to increase the efficiency of the system, but also its competitiveness.
2) From oil ... to renewable energy
One of the biggest challenges for the Canary Islands is to reduce its oil dependence. Currently, much of the energy generated in the archipelago comes from Fossil fuels. According to Red Eléctrica, an astonishing 92% of energy In the islands it comes from oil.
The transition to a model less dependent on oil is key to the sustainability. Projects such as those of the Soria-Chira reversible hydraulic power plant in Gran Canaria and the integration of technologies such as flywheel to stabilize the frequency and encourage the penetration of renewables, are part of this transition.
The most ambitious goal is to turn the Canary Islands into a territory whose energy comes mainly from renewable sources. The Soria-Chira reversible hydroelectric power station, with an investment of 320 million, is a step in that direction.