The General Directorate of Environmental Quality considers that the new medium-voltage underground channeling, which will connect support A405668 to the Los Abriguitos transformation center, will not cause significant adverse effects if the protection measures established are met. The project, approximately 1,820 meters long and operating at 20 kilovolts, will run mainly along existing roads and paths to minimize the occupation of natural land and avoid the installation of new poles.
The primary goal of this initiative is to improve the reliability of the electricity supply in the area. Currently, the Los Abriguitos transformation center relies on a single supply route, limiting alternatives in case of faults or maintenance. The new line will create an additional connection, facilitating distribution management and reducing the risk of interruptions.
The project also includes the internal renovation of the Los Abriguitos transformation center, which will remain in its current location. Existing equipment will be replaced with a compact unit allowing for better network sectionalization and fault isolation. The estimated timeframe for the complete execution of the work is 25 days.
The environmental study analyzed three options: not executing the project, building an overhead line, and installing the underground line, selecting the latter due to its lower visual impact and reduced risk to birds, despite temporary construction disruptions.
Specific conditions have been set to protect the environment, particularly in the Laderas de Granadilla-Arico area, which is a priority for threatened bird species and where the presence of the stone-curlew and the coastal Tenerife spurge beetle has been detected. Construction involving earth movement, clearing, or noisy machinery must be carried out outside the bird breeding season (February-July), trenches must be accessible for animals and checked daily, and a special barrier will be installed to protect the beetles.
Furthermore, archaeological monitoring will be conducted, and nearby heritage elements will be demarcated. During construction, traffic disruptions will be minimized, emergency vehicle access will be guaranteed, and road closures will be communicated in advance. Once operational, Edistribución must measure electric and magnetic field levels near homes and apply mitigation measures if necessary, along with an environmental monitoring program for at least three years.
