Lorraine Williamson
Lanzarote has become the first Canary Island to carve out large areas of land exclusively for renewable projects. More than 3,100 hectares—equivalent to 3.75% of the island—have been designated as Zonas de Aceleración de Renovables (ZAR), where solar farms and wind turbines can be fast-tracked.
The scale is striking. Experts say Lanzarote could theoretically meet its 2030 climate targets using less than a tenth of that space. However, the regional government has opted for an expansive approach, raising questions about priorities and planning.
Two-tier system for green projects
The ZAR framework divides land into two categories. Directly suitable zones allow projects to start with minimal red tape. Conditional zones, meanwhile, require further studies into environmental, agricultural, or aviation impacts before construction can begin.
Most projects are expected to be ground-based—an approach that has already put the plan at odds with the Socialist Party (PSOE), which favours rooftop installations and industrial sites to protect Lanzarote’s volcanic landscapes.
Flashpoints in tourist areas
The fiercest backlash comes from Tías, home to Puerto del Carmen, one of Lanzarote’s biggest holiday resorts. Mayor José Juan Cruz Saavedra has accused the regional government of sidelining local authorities and imposing zones without consultation.
He insists that turning farmland and rural villages around Puerto del Carmen, Mácher, La Asomada, and Conil into solar fields is incompatible with a tourism-driven economy. “We are not going to allow our entire territory to be covered with solar panels,” he told local radio. He warned that the island’s scenery is its greatest asset.
Tías has signalled it may take legal action to halt the plans. Meanwhile, it calls for hotel rooftops, apartment complexes, and disused industrial estates to be prioritised instead.
Concerns are also surfacing in Yaiza, particularly in Playa Blanca. Here, residents fear solar farms will encroach on one of the island’s most visited resorts.
Supporters vs. opponents
Proponents hail the ZAR initiative as a landmark step to cut dependence on fossil fuels and secure a sustainable future for the Canary Islands. Critics argue that blanketing swathes of farmland and coastal land with panels and turbines risks eroding the very qualities that draw millions of tourists each year.
The rift highlights a wider dilemma: how to accelerate the transition to clean energy without undermining the landscapes, livelihoods and identity of Lanzarote.
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Outlook for Lanzarote’s energy future
For now, the island stands at a crossroads. If the renewable zones survive legal challenges and local resistance, they could mark a decisive move towards Spain’s climate goals. If not, Lanzarote may be forced back to the drawing board—seeking greener power sources that protect its volcanic vistas as fiercely as its tourism economy depends on them.
Source: La Voz de Lanzarote