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Starting to develop energy independence
Today, El Hierro is no longer at the furthest edge of Earth’s landmass; instead, it is at the cutting edge of human attempts to create communities that rely entirely on sustainable, clean energy. Since 1996, El Hierro has worked steadily at becoming the first energy-independent island in the world that is powered only by renewable energy sources. -
El Hierro consortium was formed
The Gorona del Viento El Hierro consortium was formed in 1996. It included islanders, faculty and students from the Canary Islands Institute of Technology, consultants from the Spanish utility company Endesa, and representatives of the Spanish government.
All participants were focused on shifting the island’s energy source from diesel-powered generators to a wind and water turbine farm that would use no fossil fuels and emit no CO2. -
60% of the island became protected
In 2000, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) named El Hierro a Biosphere Reserve, thus protecting 60% of the island’s pristine territory. -
Permission given to drill three exploratory deep-water perforations
In August 2014, the Spanish Minister of Industry gave the multinational oil company Repsol permission to drill three exploratory deep-water perforations in the ocean seabed near the Canary Islands. The Canary Islands is one of the largest marine areas in Europe and is among the most spectacular areas on Earth for marine biodiversity. -
Became 100% renewable
On August 9, 2015, El Hierro has become 100% renewable energy
