Compiled with the help of artificial intelligence, based on Spanish-language information. Source below the article.
Geothermal discovery opens “a new era” for Tenerife
The “highly promising” prospects of harnessing the geothermal energy found 2,300 metres beneath the ground in Vilaflor have opened the door to “a new era” in Tenerife, one that could “revolutionise the island’s energy system” and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Rosa Dávila, president of the Cabildo, has welcomed the discovery of a geothermal system with energy potential during the exploration work being carried out at Trevejos, in Vilaflor de Chasna.
“If it is finally confirmed that electricity can be produced from this energy, Tenerife will transform its energy mix, moving from a dependence on petroleum derivatives to greater autonomy through this completely clean source, which will drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Dávila stressed. She believes this goal is “very close” following the first boreholes.
The three elements needed for a geothermal system
The public-private consortium Energía Geotérmica de Canarias (EGC), made up of the Cabildo — through the Technological Institute for Renewable Energy (ITER) —, Disa and Reykjavik Geothermal, has found heat, water at over 150 degrees and permeability in the rock: the three elements required for a conventional geothermal system capable of being used for energy. The steam generated by this underground heat could be used to produce electricity.
“It is an extraordinarily valuable find because geothermal energy is a highly stable renewable source, producing 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” the president emphasised. Dávila also highlighted that Tenerife has marked “a milestone” in Spanish research by reaching a borehole of this kind at a depth of 2,300 metres and finding geothermal energy.
Ministerial visit on 16 September
The significance of the discovery explains the visit planned for Wednesday 16 September to the exploration site by Sara Aagesen, Spain’s Minister for Ecological Transition. Dávila will take the opportunity of her presence to call for a national tariff for geothermal energy, which she regards as essential if this energy source is to be exploited commercially.
The find still has to pass further tests. “We are awaiting the results of the boreholes being drilled at more than 2,300 metres in depth, and of those to be carried out at another site in Vilaflor, to confirm that a geothermal plant can be built and that this resource can be converted into electricity,” Dávila says.
Drilling to reach 3,000 metres
The exploration work, carried out by the British company Marriott Drilling Group, will reach a depth of 3,000 metres and will then move from Trevejos to another site in Vilaflor located four kilometres to the east. Measurements will follow. The tests will analyse the temperature of the reservoir, pressure, available flow, the behaviour of the water at depth and the capacity to maintain continuous production. That data will determine the thermal power, its possible conversion into electricity and the technical and economic viability of a commercial operation. The chances of success, already put at above 60%, have risen following the first encouraging signs.
A complement to solar and wind power
Harnessing these hydrothermal reserves could overturn Tenerife’s energy system. At present, 80% of the electricity consumed on the island is generated from fossil fuels, mainly petroleum derivatives, while renewables contribute around 20%. One of geothermal energy’s main advantages lies precisely there: it depends on neither sun nor wind. A plant can generate electricity in a manageable way throughout the day. “It would not come to compete with solar and wind power, but to complement them,” explains Dávila, who notes that it would compete directly with conventional sources.
Alongside the environmental advantage comes an economic one. Juanjo Martínez, the island councillor for Innovation, Research and Development, highlights that geothermal energy would reduce the bill the Canary Islands pays for petroleum derivatives and strengthen Tenerife’s ability to attract national and international companies and data centres. The Cabildo owns 50% of Energía Geotérmica de Canarias, while the other half is shared between Disa and Reykjavik Geothermal.
Martínez highlights the experience of the Icelandic partner, which comes from a country that has become a world benchmark in harnessing underground heat. Iceland is not the world’s largest producer of geothermal energy — a position held by the United States and Indonesia — but it is one of the great examples of integrating this resource into its energy model. “Iceland has gone from being one of the poorest countries in Europe to one of the most advanced, and it has achieved this thanks to geothermal energy,” Martínez concludes.
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