For more than a decade, the Canary Islands have been implemented renewable energies in their territory. The most emblematic case It has been El Hierrowhich became a reference of energy self -sufficiency with certain limitations. Now, Tenerife has proposed a fissure plan.
Short. The Cabildo de Tenerife It will start In autumn the first polls to develop geothermal energy. In a press release They have detailed That the initiative is led by the company Geothermal Energy of the Canary Islands (EGC), a public-private alliance formed by the Cabildo itself, the Technological and Renewable Energy Institute (Iter), the Volcanological Institute of the Canary Islands (involved), the Disa company and the Icelandic Reykjavik Geothermal. The total cost of prospects will exceed 80 million euros.
More in depth. Estudios realizados por la agrupación promotora han indicado la posible existencia de agua y calor superiores a 150°C a 2.500 metros de profundidad en el subsuelo del sur de la isla. Depending on the deposit, it is expected to be able to generate between 5MW and 20MW, a sufficient amount to supply a city like Santa Cruz de Tenerife for a whole year, according to has estimated The Cabildo.
As Santiago Rull Cullen, Energy Director of the Disa Group: “represents a decisive step towards a more sustainable energy future.” Se han analizado más de 17.000 hectáreas para identificar zonas prometedoras, y la tecnología empleada, según el director científico del Involcan, Nemesio Pérez, tendrá una mínima afección al territorio, con estabilidad de producción y cero emisiones contaminantes.
Not everything is certain. The deep geothermia that will be developed in Tenerife is distinguished by its low occupation of the soil and a minimum visual impact compared With other renewables. Besides, Not depending on the weatherprovides constant, stable and safe supply, helping to avoid blackouts and reinforcing energy autonomy.
However, any subsoil intervention can have unwanted effects on fragile ecosystems. This has demonstrated the case of underwater mining, which seemed off until the discovery of A phenomenon called “Black Oxygen” reactivated the environmental debate. In this context, some experts insist on the need to combine ambition with prudence: do not lose sight of the protection of biodiversity while progressing in the energy transition.
A more specific obstacle. The expert Nemesio Pérez, Consulted by the Cabildohas warned that the main obstacle in Spain is the absence of a specific rate that regulates the price of geothermal energy. The lack of a stable tariff framework generates uncertainty among investors. “Without a regulated rate or a clear incentive scheme, investors cannot foresee the future revenue of the project, which increases financial risk,” he said.
The Canary Islands were already exploring this route. This new impulse does not start from zero. As happened in La Palma after the eruption of the Tajogaite volcano, where It is studied to take advantage of heat Waste of the subsoil, the Canary Islands had already explored this route. In addition, the European Union has identified the archipelago as a strategic enclave for geothermal development in the continent so it could obtain European financing.
Face to the future. IDAE has marked January 2026 as the deadline to execute the project, but they have also requested minimal extension in a year in case the permits and logistics of the equipment are complex. However, here the big question is now if you will achieve what iron has not yet achieved at all: demonstrate that, with planning, investment and technology, an island can be truly self -sufficient and clean.
Image | Jesús Rodríguez and Pxhere
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