Volcanic energy powers Lanzarote hospital

Lanzarote’s general hospital, the Dr José Molina Orosa, has installed a geothermal energy plant which could reduce fossil fuel consumption by 50% and reduce emissions by 60%.

The plant will be used to power refrigeration and air-conditioning in the hospital, as well as to provide hot water.

The low-enthalpy system cost €1.2 million to install and involved the drilling of four 60-metre-deep wells capable of circulating 230 cubic metres of water every hour, which is heated by the earth’s crust. Heat pumps were then installed, adapting the hospitals refrigeration, ventilation and hot water systems.

Canarian President Fernando Clavijo visited the hospital yesterday and said “This project places the Canaries at the cutting edge of the ecological transition in public health and underlines our commitment to decarbonisation.”