Fuerteventura bolsters power grid with two emergency plants to avert blackouts

The Canary Islands Government’s Minister of Ecological Transition and Energy, Mariano Hernández Zapata, inspected the progress of two emergency power plants being built in the La Herradura Industrial Park in Puerto del Rosario, aiming to bolster the island’s energy supply security.

During the visit, the minister was accompanied by the General Director of Energy, Alberto Hernández; the Energy Councilor of Puerto del Rosario, Luis Chacón; the Canary Islands director of Sampol, Ibrahim Pérez; and the project execution manager of DISA Generación, Francisco Plata.

The two facilities are part of the extraordinary measures adopted after the declaration of an energy emergency in the Canary Islands and are intended as temporary solutions that will be activated only in situations that threaten the electricity supply.

According to Zapata, these infrastructures aim to address the structural electricity generation deficit that Fuerteventura faces while permanent, more sustainable solutions are being developed.

“These plants are not the definitive solution, but they are an essential measure to avoid possible blackouts while the structural infrastructure planned under the state‑wide power‑plant renewal process is being advanced,” he emphasized.

When the current legislative term began, the island suffered an estimated generation shortfall of about 50 MW. Zapata highlighted that the two plants will together add 33 MW to the island’s power grid.

• Sampol’s plant will have a capacity of 18 MW, comprising ten generator sets designed for rapid response to grid incidents. It is a temporary installation with an expected lifespan of three years and involves roughly 50 local professionals in its construction.
• DISA’s plant will provide 15 MW, distributed across eight propane‑gas‑fueled generation engines. The project also engages local companies and has mobilized about 55 workers. Once operational, it will create 5–10 direct jobs for operation and maintenance.

Both facilities are engineered for swift assembly and disassembly, reflecting their provisional nature. Combined, the two plants will cover approximately 60 % of Fuerteventura’s current energy deficit.

The installations will be connected to the Puerto del Rosario substation and have been designed according to environmental and safety standards, as explained by the ministry.

The visit forms part of the Canary Islands Government’s ongoing monitoring of actions linked to the energy emergency, ensuring the stability of the archipelago’s electricity system.