La Palma geothermal drilling accelerated by Canary Islands government

The Government of the Canary Islands has approved the acceleration of geothermal drilling projects on the island of La Palma. By invoking European Regulation 2022/2577, the administration has excluded the project from the simplified environmental impact assessment process to expedite research into the island's subsurface resources.

The investigation aims to determine if the underground heat is sufficient to produce electricity, which could provide a stable, continuous energy source to complement solar and wind power. This move follows successful deep geothermal research in Vilaflor, Tenerife, where drilling reached 3,000 meters and detected high-temperature, high-pressure water.

Officials stated that the planned drilling sites are not located within protected natural spaces or Natura 2000 networks. The initiative is part of the ‘Canarias Sostenible’ strategy, intended to increase energy autonomy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels through the diversification of renewable energy sources.