Adapting the Energy Transition to Diverse Territories: Gran Canaria’s Tailored Strategy

In its pursuit of becoming an eco-island, the Consejo Insular de la Energía de Gran Canaria, the local energy agency of Gran Canaria, is demonstrating that the energy transition must be as diverse and adaptive as the territories it seeks to transform. From protected natural areas to scientific institutions and industrial zones, the island’s strategy is characterised by tailored interventions that combine photovoltaic generation, storage systems, and electric mobility infrastructure.

A Botanical Benchmark for Carbon Neutrality

The Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo, one of Gran Canaria’s emblematic scientific and environmental spaces, is on track to become the world’s first net-zero emissions botanical garden. Through a €933,200 investment by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, a 221.4 kWp solar installation and two 400 kWh batteries will provide up to 92% of the site’s energy needs. The system will not only power offices and operational facilities but also ensure uninterrupted energy supply to vital assets such as the seed bank’s deep freezers—essential for biodiversity conservation—and the island’s emergency coordination center, CECOPIN.

Energy and Cohesion in the Biosphere Reserve

In the mountainous heart of the island, within the UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve, the Gran Canaria Island Energy Council is promoting clean mobility and decentralised energy generation in remote areas like El Garañón and Las Niñas. These highland zones, which serve as key recreational and ecological assets, are now equipped with solar-powered electric vehicle chargers. The aim is to enhance territorial cohesion by ensuring that sustainability reaches all corners of the island—not just the urban or coastal centers. This approach fosters equal access to low-emission infrastructure and reinforces the value of preserving natural landscapes through responsible innovation.

Powering the Island’s Industrial Heart

The Arinaga Industrial Estate, the largest in the Canary Islands, is undergoing a transformation into a hub of renewable energy and energy sovereignty. A €8.6 million solar and battery project—the largest ever launched by the Cabildo—will deploy 1.48 MWp of photovoltaic capacity and 12 MWh of energy storage across more than 1.5 kilometers of shaded parking and pedestrian zones. This infrastructure will support the Arinaga Energy Community, a nonprofit cooperative with over 30 participating companies. The project, co-funded by NextGenerationEU through IDAE, will offset nearly 1,886 tons of CO₂ annually.

The Strategic Role of Hybridization in Island Energy Systems

Gran Canaria’s approach reveals a core insight: hybrid systems are essential for energy resilience in island territories. By combining generation and storage, the Cabildo enhances energy autonomy, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and stabilizes supply during demand peaks and solar downtimes. Each intervention—be it in a biosphere reserve, a research facility, or an industrial enclave—underscores the importance of context-sensitive solutions supported by intelligent design and long-term planning.

In a region constrained by grid limitations and resource dependencies, Gran Canaria’s model offers a replicable blueprint: one that fuses technology, sustainability, and local empowerment in the journey toward climate neutrality.

This ambitious approach aligns perfectly with the objectives of FEDARENE’s Islands & Rural Communities Working Group, showcasing how island territories can lead Europe’s energy transition through decentralised, resilient, and inclusive strategies.