Canary Islands Approves New Power Stations to Address Electricity Supply Challenges

The Canary Islands’ Ministry for Ecological Transition and Energy has taken a significant step towards enhancing the region’s electricity infrastructure by officially authorizing the construction of two new power generation facilities in Tenerife. This initiative is aimed at reducing the risk of blackouts that have increasingly affected the islands, particularly during peak demand periods.

Details of the Newly Approved Power Generation Projects

The newly sanctioned projects include the Los Abrigos Plant and the Emergency Plant located at the La Campana Industrial Estate. These facilities are being developed by Disa and Sampol, respectively, and are part of a comprehensive initiative that encompasses a total of ten facilities across three islands. This strategic move is designed to address a generation deficit identified by Red Eléctrica, thereby ensuring a more stable and reliable electricity supply for the residents and businesses of the Canary Islands.

In-Depth Look at the Los Abrigos Plant

The Los Abrigos Plant, spearheaded by Disa, is set to function as an Emergency Generation Plant with a robust capacity of 14.8 megawatts (MW). This facility will be strategically located on land owned by Disa in Granadilla de Abona. It will feature eight modular emergency generator units, each equipped with both gas and diesel engines, collectively delivering the necessary power output to meet local demands. Notably, the plant will utilize propane gas sourced from Disa’s existing infrastructure, ensuring a reliable fuel supply.

Moreover, the construction of the Los Abrigos Plant will include a sophisticated propane storage system. This system will feature a new 1,000 cubic meter sphere, complemented by two horizontal tanks of 500 cubic meters each and two additional horizontal tanks of 200 cubic meters each. The total investment for the Los Abrigos Plant is projected to be approximately €25.1 million, reflecting the commitment to enhancing energy security in the region.

Emergency Plant at La Campana Industrial Estate: A Closer Examination

In tandem with the Los Abrigos Plant, the Emergency Plant at the La Campana Industrial Estate, developed by Sampol, has also received the green light. This facility will comprise five diesel generator sets, delivering a total generating capacity of nine megawatts. Similar to Disa’s project, the equipment will be housed in 40-foot containers designed with acoustic insulation to minimize noise pollution, ensuring that the surrounding communities are not adversely affected by the operations.

The Emergency Plant will also include transformation centers that are linked to a substation, which will boost the voltage to 20 kilovolts, facilitating efficient electricity distribution. The investment for this project is estimated at €5.5 million, underscoring the importance of this facility in bolstering the energy infrastructure of the Canary Islands.

Necessary Regulatory Changes for Implementation

Both power plants will necessitate modifications to the existing territorial planning regulations to facilitate their construction and operation. Specifically, adjustments will be made to the Insular Plan for Tenerife, as well as the General Town Planning frameworks of Granadilla de Abona and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. These regulatory changes are essential to ensure that the projects align with local planning policies and environmental standards.

Looking Ahead: Future Developments in Power Generation

The approval process for additional power generation facilities is currently underway. Initially, there were eight proposed plants, but the Canary Islands Government has expanded this number to ten, reflecting a proactive approach to energy management. In addition to the Los Abrigos and La Campana plants, Disa plans to establish another small facility in Los Realejos and one in La Garita (Salinetas). However, these plans have encountered opposition from local residents, highlighting the need for ongoing community engagement and dialogue.

Meanwhile, Sampol is advancing plans for an emergency plant at Puerto Santa Cruz Tenerife, as well as the La Herradura plant in Fuerteventura, the Emergency Generation Plant in Los Realejos, and the La Campana plant. These developments signify a concerted effort to enhance the resilience of the electricity supply across the islands, ensuring that the growing energy demands of the population are met effectively.

Key points

• The Canary Islands’ Ministry for Ecological Transition and Energy has approved two new power generation plants in Tenerife.
• The Los Abrigos Plant will have a capacity of 14.8 MW and is developed by Disa.
• The Emergency Plant at La Campana will consist of five diesel generator sets with a total capacity of nine megawatts.
• Both plants are part of a larger initiative to establish ten facilities across three islands to ensure reliable electricity supply.
• Modifications to existing planning regulations are required for both installations.
• The total investment for the Los Abrigos Plant is estimated at €25.1 million, while the La Campana project will cost around €5.5 million.