San Sebastián de la Gomera 13 Feb. (Europa Press) –
La Gomera has made a significant move this Thursday in its dedication to technological progress with the introduction of the first drone construction firm situated on the island.
The company, Marine Instruments, hailing from Galicia, has commenced pilot testing of its solar drones, capitalising on the island’s favourable climatic conditions, featuring prolonged hours of sunlight and minimal wind interference in the south.
The president of the Cabildo de la Gomera, Casimiro Curbelo, remarked on the importance of this achievement for the technological and economic advancement of the island.
“By taking this step, we reaffirm our commitment to economic diversification and the establishment of new industries on the island, transforming it into a natural laboratory for innovation in the field of aeronautics and drones, creating employment opportunities and positioning us as a leader in this sector,” he stated.
The setting up of this operations centre will include a space for administrative functions and a dedicated workforce.
The tests commenced with the M5D-Airfox model, a solar drone crafted for maritime surveillance, disaster management, and fire prevention.
These operations are being conducted from the port of Valle Gran Rey, in collaboration with Proexca and the Canarian ports.
The selection of La Gomera for the operational base is due to its distinctive geographical and environmental attributes, which render it an ideal venue for experimenting with cutting-edge technologies.
The island boasts an uncongested airspace and a diverse geography that favours the implementation of innovative drone projects, as reported by the Cabildo in a statement.
The mayor of Valle Gran Rey, Borja Baros, and other officials have echoed this sentiment. “
Meanwhile, Paula Rodríguez, coordinator of Marine Instruments, emphasised that Valle Gran Rey provides a strategic location within the national territory, with optimal weather conditions such as low wind and ample sunlight, which facilitates the expansion of functionality and vision for the project.
Pilar Moreno, the Marketing Director of Proexca, representing the Government of the Canary Islands, stressed that the entity is committed to the aeronautical and aerospace sectors from a sustainability perspective, stating that projects of this nature in La Gomera, as part of a non-capital island programme, “serve as an injection of investment and talent attraction within this field, contributing to the economic diversification of the island.”
La Gomera’s Potential for This Sector
“The island’s potential not only establishes us as a key testing centre but also paves the way for job creation and the development of new initiatives in research and technology. We aim for the local community to benefit from this growth, so we will tailor our training offerings to meet the demands of this industry,” added first vice president, Adasat Reyes.
Since 2022, the island has implemented a strategy to foster the aeronautical and aerospace industry by promoting specialised conferences and forming strategic partnerships with institutions and companies in the sector.
In 2024, an agreement was signed with the Airborne Wind Europe Association to create a Centre of Excellence for the European aerospace industry, focusing on electric generation through drones.
Additionally, since late last year, plantings have been undertaken in hunting areas utilising this technology, as detailed by Reyes.
Furthermore, before the end of the first semester of 2025, the initiation of pilot tests for the transfer of medical analyses from health centres to the island’s hospital via drones is planned, thereby reinforcing La Gomera’s dedication to incorporating this technology in essential service provision.
The Strategic Plan for the Development of the Civil Drone Sector in Spain anticipates that the fleet of drones for professional use could surpass 51,400 units by 2035 and reach 53,500 by 2050, leading to an economic impact of €1,220 million in 2035 and €1,520 million in 2050.
The State Air Security Agency (AESA) concluded 2024 with the registration of a total of 119,712 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operators in Spain, representing a 27% increase compared to the previous year.
In 2024, 25,679 new UAS operators were registered by the agency, showcasing, once again, the growth and expansion of the national drone industry.
