Renewable Energy Zones Established in Lanzarote Amid Landscape Concerns
The installation of renewable energy sources as an alternative to fossil fuel combustion is currently a priority. As solar panel fields grow and wind turbines rise, communities in regions such as the Canary Islands and Galicia are demanding green growth aligned with environmental preservation.
The visual and landscape impact of wind turbines and solar panels has sparked debate in Lanzarote for years, dividing institutions on how to progress in the fight against climate change without sacrificing the island’s scenery.
Lanzarote has become the first Canary Island to agree with the regional government on the declaration of Renewable Energy Acceleration Zones (ZAR). This initiative aims to promote the installation of solar and wind energy across the archipelago. So far, the approval opens the door to introducing the first controversial photovoltaic plants on Lanzarote’s land, as well as installing new wind farms.
In a resolution published at the end of August, the Minister of Ecological Transition and Energy, Mariano Zapata (PP), and the president of the Lanzarote Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort (CC), have agreed on which areas of the island can accommodate these energy installations and what conditions must be met.
More than 3,100 hectares—3.75% of the island’s territory—could host wind and photovoltaic projects. However, the institution estimates that just 0.23% of the island’s territory would be sufficient to meet the decarbonisation goals of the 2030 agenda.
Suitable Areas for Renewables
The project has delineated two types of zones: one where renewable installations are permitted and another where they are conditional. The latter must first review potential incompatibilities regarding agriculture, biodiversity, or aviation restrictions before qualifying as suitable.
Sources from the Ministry of Ecological Transition of the Canary Government and the Lanzarote Cabildo have confirmed to La Voz that these projects would develop on land rather than rooftops. This position taken by the administrations led by the Canary Coalition and the People’s Party clashes with that of the PSOE in Lanzarote, which advocates for utilising rooftops of existing buildings to avoid further land consumption.
According to the Ministry of Ecological Transition, areas excluded from consideration include spaces within the Natura 2000 Network, Sites of Community Interest, protected natural areas, and they are mindful of compatibility criteria with municipal and sectoral planning. Nevertheless, installations on rustic land, non-arable surfaces, and areas without other legal incompatibilities are permitted.
The aim of these Renewable Energy Acceleration Zones (ZAR) is to “assist promoters” in identifying suitable sites and facilitate their installation, as stated in the aforementioned resolution.
These proposed zones will undergo an administrative process to determine their final delineation and undergo an environmental assessment.
Yaiza and Tinajo: Green Light for Solar and Wind
According to maps published, the areas of the island that are suitable for installing wind and photovoltaic parks include Tinajo and Yaiza. Nevertheless, the resolution has identified potential locations for solar panels and wind turbines across all municipalities of the island.
For wind energy, the municipality of Yaiza has designated suitable areas near the village of Playa Blanca, between the towns of Yaiza and La Degollada, in Las Casitas, and a small strip in El Hoyo. Meanwhile, in Tinajo, there is potential for wind turbines in Tinguatón, La Vegueta, Tinajo, and around the villages of El Cuchillo and La Santa, with part of the forecast also affecting the municipality of Teguise.
With regard to solar energy, the agreement includes a broad area in Playa Blanca in Yaiza, another in Las Breñas, La Hoya, the region of Mount En Medio between La Degollada and the town of Yaiza, as well as additional space between Las Casitas and Uga. The municipality of Teguise also allows for solar panel installations in Caleta Caballo and Muñique.
Thus, in Tinajo, solar fields could be set up around the village of La Santa, in Tinguatón, La Vegueta, and between the towns of Tinajo, Tajaste, and La Costa.
Thousands of Square Meters Planned Across the Island
In addition to areas deemed suitable for photovoltaic and wind energy, this agreement also outlines thousands of square metres of solar panels that could be installed in Haría, Teguise, Arrecife, and Tías, subject to the approval of various agricultural, environmental, and other conditions.
In municipalities such as Teguise and Haría, the resolution anticipates mixed installations in the northern regions of Costa Teguise, Tahíche, around Nazaret, and in La Montaña near La Villa de Teguise, as well as close to the villages of Guatiza, Los Cocoteros, and Charco del Palo. It also considers wind and photovoltaic installations in the village of Arrieta and near Tabayesco.
Moreover, the project includes plans for installations around Zonzamas and the Argana Alta neighbourhood in Arrecife, along with Playa Honda and Güime in the municipality of San Bartolomé.
Tías Opposes Converting Land for Solar Panel Fields
The municipality of Tías is one of the most sought after for the installation of green energy. The council, led by the PSOE and Unidas Podemos, has recently opposed solar panel installations promoted by private companies in Mácher on two occasions. One proposal aimed to install 7,000 panels, while another suggested an additional 1,680.
Despite the assurances from the Lanzarote Cabildo and the Canary Government stating that this agreement was reached with the involvement of municipal institutions, the mayor of Tías, José Juan Cruz Saavedra (PSOE), has claimed in an interview with Radio Lanzarote-Onda Cero that they were not consulted and only discovered the affected areas through publication in the Official Gazette of the Canary Islands.
“We depend on our image and landscape; we are a tourist island, a tourist municipality, and our stance is to firstly cover rooftops and degraded areas that do not impact the landscape,” he added.
In Tías, the resolution includes large mixed zones where solar and wind energy will converge. This encompasses land use around Puerto del Carmen and Puerto Calero, as well as plots in the villages of Mácher, La Asomada, and Conil.
“Local councils will have a say, and we will not allow them to cover our rustic land, particularly around the Mácher substation, with solar panels,” Cruz expressed, visibly frustrated. Tías has announced it will seek legal counsel to challenge this agreement.
