In the extreme southwest of the Canary Islands, the island of El Hierro is certainly the most astonishing. The smallest with its 278 km², the least populated with its 10,500 inhabitants, the most isolated of the seven islands. And also the most ecological. Since 2000, it has been classified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. Since 2014, it has been one of the world’s geoparks, and, above all, it has a hydro-wind power plant, Gorona del Viento, which provides on average more than half of its electricity produced from renewable sources per year.
From our special correspondent in the island of Hierro
In a volcanic crater, a water reserve. 650 meters lower, near the ocean, another water reserve, opposite, two conduits which connect them.
“ Here we have a waterfall, with a deposit greater than 700 meters and a deposit less than 50 meters, which means we have a hydraulic fall of 650 meters to generate electricity with the turbines », describes engineer Félix Boda
Next door, a huge room housing 5 turbines, which together produce 11.5 megawatts. Just behind, five gigantic wind turbines, which at full output also produce 11.5 megawatts. The originality of this power plant, Gorona del Viento, is precisely the combination of these two sources of renewable energy.
Felix Boda explains how it works and the philosophy: “ The heart of the mechanism is the wind system. With the wind generators, we power the island and the pumping system. And then we have the hydroelectric system. It works when there is no more wind. When this is the case, the stored water is released and this makes it possible to produce electricity that the wind can no longer generate. The two systems complement each other and support each other to generate stable energy “.
It is this power plant that allows the island of El Hierro to move towards energy self-sufficiency. Everything, of course, relies on the force of the wind. If it is very powerful, then the island consumes 100% renewable energy. When there is not enough wind, the hydroelectric takes over, and when its batteries are discharged, a thermal power station next door takes over.
Candelaria Sanchez is one of the managers of Gorona de Viento, a public and private company. She explains the objective of this center: “ Yes, our idea is to move towards the complete decarbonization of the island for the electrical part. We continue to make improvements to the installations so that the share of renewable energy becomes more and more important and we soon hope to be completely renewable 355 days a year. “.
Candelaria refers to an ambitious photovoltaic project, in another part of the island that would allow El Hierro more than 80% self-sufficiency. An ambition which is accompanied by the fact that the island has already made ecological choices. No big hotels, no big airport, sustainable tourism.
Scientists came from South Korea, Hawaii and Scandinavia to study this unique model. The island’s authorities know they are on the right path. Their obsession is to continue the effort and to succeed in being the first island to operate solely on renewable energy.
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