The Canary Islands are moving forward with determination towards an energy transition. And, on this path, a key step has just been taken in Tenerife. The municipality of Vilaflor has been chosen as the epicenter of a pioneering project that aims to harness the enormous potential of the island's underground heat to produce electricity in a clean and sustainable wayThe initiative, promoted by a public-private consortium, has a strong commitment to transparency and collaboration with local citizens.
El heat stored beneath the surface of the Canary Islands It represents a unique opportunity in Spain: here, unlike other regions, there are high-enthalpy geothermal resources capable of generating electricity on a large scale. This differential factor makes the archipelago a national benchmark for the development of geothermal energy and for reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Who's behind the Vilaflor geothermal project?
The Vilaflor initiative is driven by Geothermal Energy of the Canary Islands, a consortium formed by the Tenerife Island Council (through the Institute of Technology and Renewable Energy – ITER and the Canary Islands Volcanological Institute – Involcan), the Spanish company DISA and the Icelandic firm Reykjavik GeothermalTogether, they have managed to articulate a project that combines the scientific-technical experience local with international knowledge in geothermal energy.
This consortium has a 43,2 million Euros in funding, coming from Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan from the Spanish Government and the European Next Generation funds. This is a strategic investment that seeks to position the Canary Islands as a leader in geothermal production in Spain.
Transparency and dialogue with the local population
One of the key aspects of the project has been the direct involvement of the residents of VilaflorTo this end, an informational meeting was held at the Municipal Library, attended by institutional and technical representatives from the sponsoring entities. The Mayor of Vilaflor, Agustina Beltrán, together with the president of the consortium, Juan José MartÃnez, and the directors of They involcan (Nemesio Pérez) and DISA Renewables (JoaquÃn Gurriarán), answered questions and resolved doubts.
The main concerns focused on the use and protection of waterSince agriculture is fundamental to Vilaflor, special emphasis has been placed on ensuring that the surveys and tests do not affect the water supply for the agricultural sector or domestic consumption. The developers' commitment includes recovering part of the groundwater for the municipality and reaching agreements with the supplying companies to ensure that the process is completely safe for regular users.
Actions such as storage of water from the FonsalÃa desalination plant to supply the Trevejos Raft, thus ensuring supply during geothermal research work.
Energy and environmental advantages of geothermal energy
The experts stressed that the Geothermal energy has multiple comparative advantages compared to other renewable technologies. Firstly, requires 22 times less space than other alternatives, minimizing visual impact and land use. In addition, provides a constant supply of electricity, regardless of weather conditions, ensuring energy security.
If the existence of geothermal resources is confirmed More than 2.500 meters deep and with temperatures exceeding 150 degrees, the possibility of accessing more economical energy will open up, especially useful for activities that require high consumption. Discover how geothermal energy can be integrated into air conditioning systems..
ITER's scientific director, Nemesio Pérez, stated that The Canary Islands are the only Spanish region with potential for high-enthalpy geothermal energy.This type of resource not only helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but also strengthens energy self-sufficiency and contributes to decarbonization goals at both the island and European levels.
Integration with the Canary Islands' energy strategy
The bet for Geothermal energy is part of the energy transition and decarbonization plans of the archipelago, aligned with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Canary Islands Government believes that diversifying the energy mix and promoting renewable sources that are less dependent on the climate are essential to reducing the vulnerability of the islands' electricity systems.
In light of recent incidents in the electrical system of other islands, Geothermal energy is emerging as a reliable and promising alternative.If the explorations at Vilaflor confirm the expected potential, Tenerife could become a pioneer in the implementation of this technology in Spain.
