la graciosa power cut blackout

La Graciosa hit by 11-hour power cut

Compiled with the help of artificial intelligence, based on Spanish-language information. Source below the article.

La Graciosa endured a difficult day on Sunday after a fault in the electricity network left the island without power for around eleven hours. The blackout, which began in the early hours and lasted until roughly midday, affected both residents and visitors currently on the island.

Businesses forced to close

The interruption to the electricity supply also had a direct impact on economic activity. Bars, restaurants and other establishments were forced to close or remain inoperative for a large part of the day, even though the electrical fault was eventually resolved around midday.

Energy community demands action

In response to the situation, the energy community El Sol de La Graciosa has called for the urgent implementation of a genuine energy contingency plan for the island and has warned of the vulnerability of depending on a single power line with no backup systems. According to a statement from the energy community, the fault was presumably caused by a flashover on a tower in the lower area of El Risco, at a point that is very difficult to access.

The association also criticised the fact that the incident occurred on a Sunday in August, when La Graciosa records some of its highest levels of occupancy and commercial, hospitality and tourist activity. “From El Sol de La Graciosa we believe this situation demonstrates a vulnerability we have been pointing out for some time: La Graciosa lacks an alternative capable of keeping its basic services operational when that connection fails,” the association stated.

Island cannot rely on a single connection

The community insists that the island cannot continue to rely on a single electricity connection without backup systems, and demands planning, security and infrastructure that match the real needs of residents and visitors. As a solution, El Sol de La Graciosa proposes the so-called “El Sol GRID”, a self-contained energy system based on solar panels installed on the roofs of buildings and public spaces, combined with electrical storage.

According to the proposal, this infrastructure would keep the island’s essential services operational during a power cut, including desalination systems, water storage and pumping, the health centre, the cold storage facilities of the Fishermen’s Guild, telecommunications and emergency services, as well as future sanitation systems and other public services.

Backup batteries and solar power

As an alternative or complement, the community suggests installing a high-capacity battery system connected to the main grid, capable of temporarily sustaining the electricity supply for the whole island and recharging using solar energy generated on rooftops, buildings and public spaces. “La Graciosa has sunshine, usable public surface area and a community prepared to take part in the energy transition. What is missing is not energy: it is the determination to turn it into security and autonomy,” the association argues.

An omen of things to come?

For El Sol de La Graciosa, the blackout should not be seen merely as an isolated fault, but as a warning about the consequences of lacking redundancy, storage and specific energy protocols for an isolated territory. The energy community has therefore called on the competent authorities, the supply company and island and regional bodies to sit down with the association to design and finance a stable solution.

“In 2026, depending on a single cable is not an energy plan; it is simply tempting fate,” the statement concludes.

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