Zapata: We Urge Ministry to Add Zurita Substation to Speed Up El Charco Plant Dismantling

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 that the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge has opened for public consultation.

“We consider it very important that relevant issues missing from this first draft be included, and it is vital that they are reflected through the acceptance of our objections,” Zapata said after a recent meeting with the national ministry, which he described as generally positive.

During that meeting, Zapata emphasized that Fuerteventura must be treated as a priority. He explained that the objections, prepared by the Directorate General of Energy, request that the 2030 plan incorporate a transmission network in the Zurita area, with the construction of a new sub‑station. This addition would allow future generation projects in the Puerto del Rosario zone to be prioritized.

“We request a sub‑station in Zurita to make new generation projects viable at this location, which will accelerate the dismantling of the Las Salinas thermal plant,” he added, stressing the need to respond to a historic demand from the island’s residents and stating that no new units will be accepted in the El Charco area.

This move represents a decisive step toward the gradual dismantling of the plant—a long‑standing demand from Fuerteventura’s society and institutions, who have called for its relocation due to the proximity of the facilities 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 meet a historic demand while ensuring that backup electricity generation on Fuerteventura is situated in a more suitable location, compatible with urban development and respectful of the environment.

Furthermore, regarding the current tender for the renewal of generation units—competence of the national ministry—the option is viable because several proposals exist for this area, but they will only be possible if the transmission network is expanded.

“We hope this will be included in the final text after our objections,” Zapata concluded.