Study Raises Concerns Over Offshore Renewable Energy Plans in Lanzarote

A report commissioned by the César Manrique Foundation claims that Spanish Government plans to install offshore wind turbines could involve windmills of a similar height to the Eiffel Tower being installed less than 2 kilometres from shore.

Although no projects have yet been proposed, the government’s plan establishes zones for the possible siting of offshore wind turbines stretching down Lanzarote’s east coast from Órzola to Arrecife, 

The study, carried out by a team from the University of Santiago de Compostela, states that “no energy transition can be considered truly fair in Lanzarote if it involves damaging its landscape, affecting those who are working for sustainable tourism, weakens traditional fishing and puts the cultural heritage that has historically defined the island’s relationship with the sea at risk.”

The study also calls for existing land-based wind farms to be renovated before new ones are built and recommends the installation of solar panels on the rooftops of urban and industrial zones before using rural land.

It also says that large scale renewable energy projects should be publicly owned, ensuring that “the profits remain on the island.”