Exploration without damaging the landscape
Geothermal exploration work The projects will be developed on private land far from environmental protection zones. If the surveys fail to identify useful resources, the impact will be limited to a small slab of barely one square meter. If the exploration yields positive results, a geothermal generation plant adapted to the landscape and with a low ecological footprint will be built.
The Volcanological Institute of the Canary Islands (Involcan) confirms encouraging signs pointing to a potential geothermal reservoir capable of driving turbines and generating up to 20 megawatts, enough capacity to power all of Santa Cruz de Tenerife for a full year. This energy option stands out compared to alternatives such as wind or solar power due to its stability: it can generate electricity 24 hours a day, regardless of the weather.
The environmental and structural advantages of geothermal energy are also notable. It occupies a significantly smaller area than solar or wind farms and does not produce polluting emissions. In addition, the necessary equipment such as turbines and steam ducts require little space, which reduces the visual impact on the environment.
Financing, employment and sustainability
The project has received financial support The Institute for Energy Diversification and Savings (IDAE) and European Next Generation funds will cover half the cost. The remaining funding will be provided by the Tenerife Island Council and the companies involved, assuming the risks and uncertainties inherent to this type of advanced exploration.
Beyond the environmental pushThe installation of the plant is expected to contribute to employment in Vilaflor by hiring local personnel during the construction and operational phases. The geothermal system could also be used for other purposes, such as supplying water for agriculture or consumption, as the steam used in the turbines returns to the surface with a high level of purity.
A key feature of geothermal energy is its duration: the deposits can remain active for decades, guaranteeing a predictable, stable and low-cost supplyCurrently, the estimated price per megawatt hour is below 300 euros, significantly lower than that of conventional electricity generation.
Innovative technology for constant energy
Current drilling will set a record Deep in Spain, far exceeding the 500 meters reached in previous tests. The plan is to reach depths of up to 2.500–3.000 meters, searching for pockets of underground heat using so-called flash technology, which allows this heat to be directly transformed into electrical energy.
The project methodology has been designed to avoid past mistakes. Unlike the first experiments in Italy decades ago, the steam is not allowed to escape; it is reused in a closed circuit, exchanging energy and returning to the subsoil, ensuring the system's sustainability for many years.
The initiative is part of the energy plan of the Canary Islands to reduce their dependence on imported oil. Today, more than 80% of Tenerife's electricity comes from fossil fuels, a model that is both costly and environmentally unfriendly. Projects like this one hope to move towards a increased use of geothermal energy.
Just as similar plans are being developed in La Palma and Gran Canaria, Tenerife is leading the way on a path that could open the door to a new energy era in the archipelago. This entire effort is part of a global context where the climate emergency demands innovative, efficient, and sustainable solutions from the local level.
