Exploration without damaging the landscape
The geothermal exploration work will be carried out on private land far from environmentally protected areas. If the surveys do not identify any useful resources, the impact will be limited to a small slab of just one square meter. If the exploration yields positive results, a geothermal power plant will be built, designed to blend into the landscape and have a low environmental footprint.
The Canary Islands Volcanological Institute (Involcan) has confirmed promising signs pointing to a potential geothermal reservoir capable of powering turbines and generating up to 20 megawatts, enough to supply the entire city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife for a full year. This energy option stands out from alternatives like 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 remarkable. It occupies a significantly smaller area than solar or wind farms and produces no polluting emissions. Furthermore, the necessary equipment, such as turbines and steam pipes, requires little space , thus reducing its visual impact on the surrounding environment.
Financing, employment and sustainability
The project has received financial backing from the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) and European Next Generation funds, which will cover half the cost. The remaining funding is provided by the Tenerife Island Council and the companies involved, who are assuming the risks and uncertainties inherent in this type of advanced exploration.
Beyond the environmental benefits , the plant's installation is expected to contribute to employment in Vilaflor by hiring local staff during the construction and operational phases. Furthermore, the geothermal system could be used for other purposes, such as supplying water for agriculture or drinking, since the steam used in the turbines returns to the surface with a high level of purity.
A key feature of geothermal energy is its longevity: reservoirs can remain active for decades, guaranteeing a predictable, stable, and low-cost supply . Currently, the estimated price per megawatt-hour is below €300, significantly lower than that of conventional electricity generation.
Innovative technology for constant energy
The current drilling will set a record depth in Spain, far exceeding the 500 meters reached in previous trials. Depths of up to 2.500-3.000 meters are expected, in search of underground heat reservoirs using flash technology, which allows for the direct conversion of that heat into electrical energy.
The project's 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, thus ensuring the system's sustainability for many years.
The initiative is part of the Canary Islands' energy plan to reduce its dependence on imported oil. Currently, over 80% of Tenerife's electricity comes from fossil fuels, a costly and environmentally unfriendly model. Projects like this one aim to move towards greater 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.
