As far as wind power is concerned, the Canary Islands archipelago has today installed a 19% more wind power than in 2015. This sustained growth in clean energy generation capacity is supported by various policies and projects that seek, among other things, to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. In addition, the situation is expected to improve even further. When the implementation of wind farms which are currently under construction, it is expected to achieve an increase of 38,5% in wind power compared to the beginning of the legislature.
The Canary Islands government has been clear in its commitment, as it expressed its intention that, before December 31, 2018, the renewable power installed on the islands would be almost double that which existed in 2015. In numerical terms, this translates into 331 more megawatts than those installed in June 2015.
The Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy has highlighted that the region has already surpassed the first gigawatt of installed renewable power, which is a historic achievement. Until May 2023, wind energy is the most important, representing 80% of all renewable electricity production. This shows that the Canary Islands are making steady progress towards a more sustainable future.
A boost to renewable energy in the Canary Islands
Over the past few years, the renewable energy have experienced a great expansion in the Canary Islands. According to the regional government, at the beginning of the last legislative period, one of the main challenges was to unblock the expansion of wind energy, which had been stagnant for a decade. This effort has not only allowed the registration of 49 wind farms in the quota, with a combined power of 436,3 megawatts, but has also paved the way for the penetration of renewable energies in energy demand to increase by 9,9% to 21%.
A key factor in this progress has been the action of the Canary Islands Development Fund (FDCAN), which has allocated more than 228 million euros to finance 90 renewable energy projectsThese projects, presented by city councils and universities, range from generating electricity using wind energy to improving energy efficiency and developing sustainable mobility.
FDCAN and the promotion of renewable energy
Thanks to initiatives such as the FDCAN, multiple projects have been implemented that seek to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and promote the use of clean energy. Among the most relevant initiatives is the electrification of livestock farms in Fuerteventura using renewable energy, the use of public lighting powered by clean energy and the promotion of self-consumption of energy in public buildings.
Likewise, institutions such as the Cabildo de Gran Canaria have launched ambitious projects that have transformed key sectors. One of the most notable is the installation of wind farms and photovoltaic panels in desalination plants and wastewater treatment plants. These initiatives not only contribute to the decarbonisation of the archipelago, but also create new jobs, reinforce energy independence and encourage technological innovation in the region.
Renewable projects on each island
Gran Canaria
In Gran Canaria, one of the leading territories in the implementation of renewable energies, wind turbines and photovoltaic panels have been installed in vital infrastructures such as desalination plants and wastewater treatment plants. There has also been a commitment to the creation of wind farms, the installation of photovoltaic plants in public buildings and the improvement of public lighting using LED technology.
Furthermore, the University of Las Palmas has led energy efficiency projects that include the modernization of facilities and the introduction of home automation in several of its buildings. These projects seek to reduce energy consumption and support the long-term sustainability of the region.
Tenerife
In Tenerife, the Cabildo has launched a research programme on geothermal energy with both electrical and thermal uses. This ambitious project also includes energy storage and improving energy efficiency in public buildings. The island has also begun to study the potential of geothermal energy for use in the air conditioning of the D-Alix Datacenter using a high-enthalpy geothermal air conditioning system.
Lanzarote and La Gomera
In La Gomera, charging points have begun to be implemented for Power Plants, promoting sustainable mobility. In addition, the company has opted to install photovoltaic energy in public transport shelters and create a solar park associated with a livestock farm.
In Lanzarote, the growth of renewable energy includes new wind farms in Teguise, Arrecife and San Bartolomé. These parks have an installed capacity of 9,2 megawatts, which contributes significantly to the island's energy self-sufficiency.
The Iron and Las Palmas
In El Hierro, a further step has been taken towards sustainable mobility with the implementation of road infrastructures that encourage bicycle travel. In addition, the island continues to develop its energy model based on the hydro-wind energy, making El Hierro an example to follow in terms of sustainability.
In Las Palmas, the energy model is constantly evolving with the installation of wind farms, solar farms and innovative mini-hydro and geothermal energy projects. The Cabildo also has projects underway to reduce energy consumption in public buildings by installing more efficient systems.
These initiatives clearly show that the Canary Islands are on the path towards a successful energy transitionWith sustained investment and growth in renewables, the archipelago aims to drastically reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, strengthen its energy independence and contribute to the fight against climate change.