A young for geothermal exploration within the Canary Islands has been closed, awarding contracts to 9 entities throughout La Palma, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria.
The Division of Ecological Transition and Vitality of the Authorities of the Canary Islands has awarded geothermal exploration contracts within the islands of La Palma, Tenerife and Gran Canaria to a complete of 9 entities. With this, the tender has been formally closed and the funding of EUR 106 million from the Institute for Vitality Diversification and Saving (IDAE) introduced in 2023 can be appropriately allotted.
The fieldwork corresponding to those licenses are anticipated to start between late December to early January 2025.
La Palma can be receiving EUR 48 million to help the exploration of 837 blocks overlaying virtually your complete southern half of the island. These licenses have been awarded to 6 firms:
- Repsol Exploracion
- Energia Geotermica de Canarias
- Geotermia La Palma
- Sodepal
- Sodescan 2000
- Tajogaite Energia
Tenerife may even be receiving EUR 43.2 million for the exploration of 516 mining blocks. Exploration in Tenerife has been awarded to 2 firms:
- Energia Geotermica de Canarias
- Instituto Tecnologico y de Energies Renovables de Tenerife (ITER)
Lastly, the island of Gran Canaria has awarded exploration for a complete of 182 mining grids, to be supported by EUR 15 million in funding. The contract has been awarded on the proposal of the Gran Canaria Island Vitality Council.
“Now the subsequent step is dependent upon the private and non-private builders who’ve been awarded the contract,” mentioned Mariano Hernández Zapata, Minister for Ecological Transition and Vitality. He additional added that the Ministry will present all of the services to hold out drilling within the shortest potential time.
Furthermore, an environmental affect evaluation won’t be wanted for the surveys granted that they are going to be carried out exterior of protected pure areas. This exemption had been granted to facilitate the progress of those research. The contracts presently specify a deadline for finishing the work by 31 January 2026, however the Minister is anticipating that this deadline will have to be prolonged.
Supply: Gobierno de Canarias and EFE
