Zapata asks Spain for funds to dismantle the El Charco plant
The goal is to expand the current transmission network in Puerto del Rosario, specifically in Zurita
The Canary Islands’ Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy, led by Mariano H. Zapata, has submitted formal objections to the draft 2030 electric transmission network plan. The proposal was opened for public consultation today by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge.
“We consider it essential that relevant issues missing from this first draft be included, and that they are reflected through the acceptance of our objections,” Zapata said after a recent meeting with the Ministry, which he described as generally positive.
During that meeting, Zapata emphasized that Fuerteventura must be treated as a priority.
In the objections addressed to the Directorate General of Energy, Zapata requested that the 2030 plan include a transmission network in the Zurita area, with the installation of a new sub‑station. He argued that this would allow future generation projects in the Puerto del Rosario zone to be prioritized.
“We ask for a sub‑station in Zurita to make new generation projects viable in this location, accelerating the dismantling of the Las Salinas thermal plant,” he added, stressing that the move would respond to a historic demand from the island’s residents and that no new units will be accepted in the El Charco area.
The request marks a decisive step toward the gradual dismantling of the plant—a long‑standing demand from Fuerteventura’s society and institutions, which have repeatedly called for its relocation due to the proximity of the facility to urban areas and the local population.
Next steps to guarantee future supply
The Canary Islands government considers it a priority that this progress be translated into a clear roadmap for the definitive relocation of the plant to Zurita, coordinated among the State, the regional executive, the Cabildo, and the Puerto del Rosario city council.
Achieving this milestone would satisfy a historic demand while ensuring that backup electricity generation on Fuerteventura is carried out in a location more suitable for urban development and respectful of the environment.
Regarding the current tender for the renewal of generation units—competence of the Ministry—Zapata noted that several proposals exist for the Zurita zone, but they can only proceed if the transmission network is expanded.
“We hope this will be included in the final text after our objections,” he concluded.