More than two month since the start of drilling, the exploration geothermal well being drilled in Tenerife in the Canary Islands has been reported to have hit a thermal resource at 150 ºC at 2300 meters depth. Moreover, permeability and flow indicators at this depth have been positive, although further testing will still be needed to properly characterize the geothermal resource. The well will continue to be drilled to a target depth of 3000 meters.
The geothermal project in Tenerife is being executed by Energía Geotérmica de Canarias (EGC), a consortium between the Tenerife Island Council, through s Technological Institute and Renewable Energies (Instituto Tecnológico y Energías Renovables / ITER) and the Canary Islands Volcanological Institute (Involcan), and Reykjavík Geothermal and DISA,
Rosa Davila, President of the Island Council, described the discovery as a milestone for geothermal energy exploration and the start of a new era for the island of Tenerife.
“If it is finally confirmed that electricity can be produced with this energy, Tenerife will change its energy mix and go from depending on petroleum derivatives to achieving greater energy autonomy,” said Diaz.
With drilling still ongoing, it is still very early to talk about the potential for geothermal electricity generation or heat supply in Tenerife. However, the optimism around the preliminary results is already starting concrete actions on creating the framework for utilizing geothermal resources. Minister for Ecological Transition Sara Aagesen has stated plans of requesting for a national tariff for geothermal energy, which would massively help in ensuring the commercial viability of the project.
Source: El Dia and La Gaceta de Canarias
