Disa Halts Green Hydrogen Plant Development in Tenerife

The energy company Disa has announced a significant shift in its project plans in Tenerife, where it will discontinue the development of a green hydrogen plant in Granadilla de Abona. This decision comes as a response to the urgent need for additional energy generation on the island, prompting the company to focus on the installation of the Los Abrigos plant. The move underscores the pressing energy demands faced by the region and highlights the challenges of balancing innovative energy solutions with immediate needs.

Los Abrigos is one of the ten emergency energy installations initiated by the Government of the Canary Islands, following a report from Red Eléctrica that highlighted an electric generation shortfall in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Fuerteventura. The approval for the Los Abrigos facility was granted by the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy, underscoring the necessity of this project to prevent potential blackouts. The urgency of this situation has led Disa to prioritize immediate energy solutions over longer-term, sustainable projects.

Impact of Emergency Energy Needs

On May 26, 2025, Disa formally notified authorities of its withdrawal from the environmental processing of the hydrogen plant project. The decision was influenced by the fact that the proposed site for the hydrogen facility overlapped with the location designated for the Los Abrigos emergency generation plant. This overlap has led to the prioritization of the emergency project over the innovative hydrogen initiative, highlighting the complexities involved in energy planning and development in the region.

Despite this setback, Disa remains committed to the development of the hydrogen plant. In its communication, the company expressed a strong intention to pursue the project in an alternative location within the same area and to resume the necessary processing for its approval. This determination reflects Disa’s ongoing commitment to renewable energy and its recognition of the importance of hydrogen as a clean energy source for the future.

Future Prospects for Hydrogen Development

The halt in the hydrogen plant’s development represents a delay for a project that had already navigated several bureaucratic challenges. Initially declared of insular interest in 2022, the hydrogen facility was set to benefit from a streamlined authorization process. Following public consultations regarding its environmental impact, the project had gained momentum, with plans for replication in Gran Canaria. The community’s engagement in the project has been significant, demonstrating a collective interest in advancing sustainable energy solutions.

The hydrogen plant is designed to include a generation system featuring an electrolyser for hydrogen production, alongside a compression and dispatch system for storing the produced hydrogen. The site, covering 275,014 square meters, has undergone public consultation twice, reflecting the community’s engagement in the project. This facility was envisioned as a crucial step towards establishing a hydrogen economy in the Canary Islands, which could potentially lead to reduced carbon emissions and enhanced energy independence.

As Disa navigates this transition, the company is likely to face ongoing challenges in securing a new site for the hydrogen plant. The need for careful planning and community involvement will be essential to ensure that the project aligns with both local interests and broader environmental goals. The commitment to hydrogen technology remains a key part of Disa’s strategy, as the company seeks to contribute to the region’s energy transition while addressing immediate energy needs.

Key points

• Disa has paused the development of a green hydrogen plant in Granadilla de Abona.
• The company will focus on the installation of the Los Abrigos emergency generation plant.
• The Los Abrigos facility is part of ten emergency installations initiated by the Government of the Canary Islands.
• The decision to halt the hydrogen project was made due to site overlap with the emergency plant.
• Disa plans to pursue the hydrogen plant in an alternative location within the same area.
• The hydrogen project had previously received insular interest status to expedite its approval process.
• The facility was designed to include an electrolyser and a hydrogen dispatch system.