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1492
Pre-Columbus
Before 1492, El Hierro was considered one of the westernmost places on planet Earth. While no longer considered on the edge of Earth’s landmass, it is an island relying on clean, renewable energy. -
1546
Sailors Arrival to New World
In 1546, sailors drifting in calm water off the coast of El Hierro went ashore and gave the islanders an image of the Virgin Mary that they had been carrying for delivery to the New World. At that moment, the winds picked up and the sailors were able to sail away to the New World. The energies of wind and water are at the center of El Hierro’s physical and spiritual life. -
The Gorona del Viento El Hierro consortium formed
The Gorona del Viento El Hierro consortium met to discuss energy independence which means limiting the usage of fossil fuels and other primary sources of energy and instead utilizing renewable sources of energy available to power the island. Prior to acquiring energy independence, El Hierro relied on generators fueled by diesel brought by boat from one of the other Canary Islands. These diesel generators also consumed 6,600 tons of diesel fuel. -
Oil Drilling
The Spanish Minister of Industry gave the oil company Repsol permission to drill three exploratory deep-water perforations in the ocean seabed close to the Canary Islands. If a spill was to occur, the marine life living near El Hierro would be destroyed. A human complained regarding the drilling noise that makes life impossible for many of the water species of whales and dolphins who depend on sound to communicate, navigate, feed, and, breed. Many of the natives of El Hierro thus protested. -
Gorona del Viento Power Plant
El Hierro currently has a closed loop wind and water system called the Gorona del Viento. The closed loop system is a set of mechanical or electronic devices that regulate automatically the desired set without human interaction. Made up of two water reservoirs and 5 windmills, the Gorona del Viento generates energy using both wind and water. The power plant runs on green, renewable sources of power and thus emits no carbon dioxide, making it a clean benefit to the ecosystem.
