El Hierro’s pioneering renewable energy system
Meteorologist Mario Picazo has praised the energy model of El Hierro, an island capable of generating 100% of its electricity from renewable sources thanks to the Gorona del Viento plant, operational since 2015. According to Picazo, the system combines wind and hydro power to guarantee a clean and stable electricity supply.
How the wind and water system works
When the wind blows strongly, the wind turbines produce electricity directly. Furthermore, if more energy is generated than needed, the surplus is used to pump water from a lower reservoir to another situated in the highlands of the island, where it is stored. During periods when the wind drops or ceases, the accumulated water is released and descends, driving hydraulic turbines that generate electricity once again.
A global benchmark for sustainability
In this way, the system functions as a giant natural battery for energy storage, ensuring supply even in the absence of wind. This 100% renewable energy model in the Canaries has turned El Hierro into an international reference point for energy transition, sustainability, and self-sufficiency. It demonstrates that it is possible to reduce dependence on fossil fuels in island territories.
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