SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE December 11 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Plenary Session of the Parliament of the Canary Islands has approved a Non-Law Proposition (PNL) on Wednesday from NC-BC, amended by CC, which advocates prioritising the health of the public in the evaluation of the gas plant project at the port of La Luz and is committed to the advancement of renewable energies in the region.
The Canarian party did not secure the outright rejection of the project from the Chamber – CC and PP abstained while Vox opposed it – and Vox also resisted any clean energy initiative in the vicinity.
Esther González (NC-BC) asserted that the gas plant project “has faced significant opposition” from the community, the Cabildo and the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria because “the promise made” at the time was that it would be utilised for ship supply rather than energy generation.
In her view, this amounts to attempting to introduce a gas generation project “through the back door”, akin to previous attempts with the Arinaga regasification plant or ‘city gas’.
“This project is not only unnecessary, but it is detrimental to public health and counterproductive to the decarbonisation of the energy framework,” she cautioned, adding that it will adversely affect the health of those residing near the port.
Vidina Espino (CC) remarked that health will take precedence over any undertaking, which is why she has urged the Government of the Canary Islands to complete the environmental impact declaration, ensuring “maximum protection” for residents. “We trust our representatives,” she stated.
She highlighted that politicians cannot simply close files “at will”, referencing the closure of the Tenerife island ring, which resulted in compensation exceeding 13 million due to inadequate adjudication.
Furthermore, she pointed out that “those who are now making a fuss” are the same individuals who “championed” the project in the previous legislature, referring to PSOE and NC-BC, who voted in favour in the board of directors of the port of La Luz. “How could they possibly try to slip a gas issue past Antonio Morales without him being aware,” she stated ironically.
Jesús Ramos (ASG) noted that gas “can pose health risks”, according to Public Health reports, and he advocated finishing the environmental procedures, emphasising that the Canary Islands should focus on promoting renewable energy development.
GALVÁN: TECHNICIANS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO WORK “WITHOUT PRESSURE”
Nicasio Galván, spokesperson for Vox, stressed that “health comes first,” yet he acknowledged that technicians should work “without undue pressure” and that the deputies should not act as a “strike picket”, targeting the “climate daydreams” of the Canary Islands formation.
He remarked that there is a genuine need for backup energy in the Canary Islands as mass consumption cannot solely rely on wind turbines or photovoltaic systems.
Carlos Ester (PP) indicated that his party will not endorse an initiative that contradicts the health of citizens, pointing out that the technical process has not been completed and highlighting that the leaders of PSOE and NC-BC “did not say a word” during the board meetings.
Alicia Vanostende (PSOE) noted that the current situation is “different” from that of 2019 as the European directive to supply gas to ships has declined, and the project was presented “with inaccurate information”, as a 70-megawatt generation plant is not necessary.
She also emphasised that the health report was “misleading” because the pollutants will not disperse into the sea but rather towards the population, as indicated in the Public Health report. “Given the current data, I seriously doubt they would vote in favour of that project,” she remarked.
