Geothermal development being pushed in Canary Islands
Volcanic area at Mount Teide, Tenerife, Canary Islands (source: flickr/ Mike Beales, creative commons)
Carlo Cariaga
15 Dec 2021
With plenty of untapped potential, a group of scientists and experts are appealing for support and more research into the geothermal potential of the Canary Islands
In a debate organized by the Illustrious Official College of Geologists, participants described the Canary Islands as “the ideal territory to develop geothermal energy in Spain.” To further emphasize the point, geothermal energy was described as sufficient to supply almost the entire energy demand of La Palma.
Celestino Garcia, a mining engineer from the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain (IGME), believes that drilling studies must be done in La Palma once volcanic activity has subsided. “The magma is very close to the surface, although due to the island’s topography it would be necessary to drill at great depths to generate geothermal energy,” he added. Garcia also identified the Tenerife island as having better geothermal research prospects.
Maite Fernandez, a representative from the Institute for the Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDAE), has identified geothermal energy as essential for post-pandemic recovery. Geothermal development can qualify under the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience plan within the framework of the Next Generation European funds. 40% of this fund will go towards ecological transition including incentive programs for geothermal energy.
Scherezade Diaz, an expert hydrogeologist, highlighted successful geothermal projects in Iceland that were supported by a legal framework and mitigation funds. He commented that greater institutional and social support will be needed for geothermal development. This can be justified by geothermal as a source of local employment and energy independence.
“In the case of the Canary Islands, electricity generation is very expensive on the islands because you have to charter ships with diesel and burn it there, therefore, the Canary Islands are an ideal place for geothermal energy, ” added Diaz.
Source: El Confidencial
