Iberdrola has initiated the development of a new wind farm in the southern part of Tenerife. Known as Finca San Juan, it will be situated in Arico and will have a capacity of 17.3 megawatts, generating clean and sustainable energy equivalent to the consumption of nearly 16,000 households, which represents a population close to La Orotava, as explained by the company.
Once operational, the park is expected to produce 56GWh per year, preventing 28,000 tons of CO2 emissions, or in simpler terms, the clean energy produced would be comparable to driving an electric car for 260 million kilometers and would save 15.6 million liters of diesel (equivalent to 4.5 Olympic swimming pools), as specified by Iberdrola.
This new project “will enable the archipelago to progress towards its energy self-sufficiency without relying on external sources, ensuring a local supply of green energy without emissions.”
It is anticipated that during its construction, 35 individuals will be directly employed, with 50% being locals, the company further adds.
According to Miguel Serrano, the head of Iberdrola Renovables in the Canary Islands, “this park represents a significant milestone for the archipelago as it contributes to the decarbonization of the economy with local energy and also aids the socioeconomic advancement of the island within the global frameworks for reducing emissions and achieving energy self-sufficiency.”
Environmental and heritage actions will be integrated into the execution process, all of which are part of the company’s Coexist Program, including measures such as marking and fencing off heritage elements in the environment, as well as eradicating and monitoring invasive exotic species.
The buildings and auxiliary facilities will be finished with materials and colours that are in harmony with the environment in which they are located. Additionally, an archaeological survey will be conducted, along with the collection of surface archaeological materials, as outlined by Iberdrola.
Iberdrola has also been operating the Chimiche wind farm in Tenerife since 2019, developed in collaboration with a group of small local entrepreneurs, which has a capacity of 18.3 megawatts (MW).
Presently, the park provides clean energy to a population equivalent to 15,000 homes, preventing the emission of 33,000 tons of CO2 annually.
Similarly, since 2023, Iberdrola has been operating its first photovoltaic plant in the Canary Islands, with a capacity of 7 MW in Llanos Pelos III, Fuerteventura, capable of supplying clean energy to over 4,000 homes.
The plant has been honoured with the Sustainability Seal from the Spanish Photovoltaic Union (UNEF) for all the environmental measures implemented in the project.
