Future Railway Projects in the Canary Islands Gain Momentum

Both the regional government and the councils of Gran Canaria and Tenerife are keen to convey a clear message: the Archipelago will soon have trains. Just a few weeks ago, the State signed a protocol with each of the capital islands to reaffirm the commitment to advance these railway projects. Should these initiatives move forward, significant investment will be necessary to address the technical aspects involved.

Topographical Challenges

Martín Perea, Director of the Master’s in Renewable Energy at the European University of the Canaries, stated in an interview with Atlántico Hoy that it will be essential to navigate the substantial height differences present in the islands’ geography. He elaborated that the railway design must consider densely populated areas along the coast, which also exhibit considerable population dispersion.

Perea highlighted that the highways, which will follow a similar route to the trains, pose a barrier to project development. He noted that the railway will be exclusively for passenger traffic, aiming for speeds of up to 160 km/h. In essence, it will not follow winding paths like those in other parts of the country, where freight wagons also operate. Another challenge will be managing the topography, characterised by numerous ravines and complex geological features. Perea explained that he has worked in areas of the mainland where construction flows more smoothly but indicated that in the Canaries, “these transitions are dramatic and occur at every point being addressed.” This is essentially a consequence of altering volcanic terrain.

Volcanic Material Concerns

“We can encounter,” he pointed out, “a modification every 200 metres due to geological characteristics.” “We are subject to an immense variety of materials arising from volcanic eruptions over millions of years, which presents a significant challenge,” he added. Furthermore, it is crucial to highlight that a substantial portion of the railway routes will be underground, necessitating careful attention. Perea emphasised the importance of having suitable geometric characteristics that do not negatively impact the environment of the Archipelago or its endemic species and landscapes. “Imagine if we encounter a basaltic flow, for instance. The use of explosives would be mandatory,” he concluded.

Archaeological Finds

Below ground, surprises such as archaeological sites may emerge — a scenario not uncommon in the islands. However, Perea assured that there are protocols in place to manage such occurrences, noting that this situation is not exclusive to the Canaries. “It is not solely a problem stemming from insularity,” he commented. “In some cases, such works have uncovered archaeological remains in areas where their existence was previously unknown,” he added.

The expert elaborated that the environmental impact—alongside the presence of protected areas—is crucial, but so is the visual impact. “In the Archipelago, there are even plans to use rock armour to mitigate this, ensuring continuity in the landscape,” he specified. He explained that these considerations will be taken into account during the assessment of, for instance, protected areas.

Addressing Dispersed Populations

Regarding dispersed populations, he indicated that insularity is not as determinative. “An infrastructure of this type typically disrupts numerous existing paths; each one must be reinstated or a series of service roads created, concentrating crossings under the railway’s overpasses,” the expert explained. When examining each island’s situation, he noted that Tenerife presents greater complexities in its northern region. “It is one of the islands with the steepest gradients from sea level anywhere in the world; within 20 km, we go from sea level to around 3,700 m at the summit of Mount Teide, giving the island tremendous peculiarity,” he asserted.

The slopes there are significantly steeper, leaving less room for accommodating a railway. Additionally, there are areas with high population density, such as La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz. He mentioned that this region is also of special visual interest. In contrast, he stated that Gran Canaria is “much simpler,” as its foothills are situated further away, providing more space. It’s important to note that Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, for instance, has gained substantial land from the sea over time. However, Perea argued that this is more of an economic issue than a technical one. He emphasised that technical solutions are available. “Creating a watertight barrier allows for excavation without problems or any leaks that could jeopardise the infrastructure’s viability,” he asserted.