The initiative, to be debated on March 24 and 25, seeks to address the difficulties faced by the Canary Islands in managing these resources, which significantly exceed the average of other autonomous communities in proportion to their population. The archipelago manages 145 million euros in ordinary funds for self-consumption and sustainable mobility, in addition to an extra 301 million due to its status as an Outermost Region (RUP), allocated to its Sustainable Energy Strategy.
“"This significant volume of resources represents a historic opportunity for the decarbonization of the archipelago and must be executed before June 2026, a particularly demanding deadline considering that the extraordinary funds were allocated a year later than the ordinary ones, but with the same execution deadline."
The popular deputy emphasizes that the Sustainable Energy Strategy is structured into nine programs, seven of which are managed by the Government of the Canary Islands and two by the Institute for Diversification and Energy Saving (IDAE), under the Government of Spain. According to Díaz, the autonomous programs face considerable obstacles for beneficiaries, including public administrations, companies, and the industrial sector, due to the high volume of applications, the technical complexity of eligible projects, and administrative burdens.
Adding to these difficulties are the unique characteristics of the Canary Islands as an RUP, such as logistical limitations, supply chain delays, and a shortage of specialized installers. Despite the efforts of the regional Executive, Raquel Díaz warns that a significant portion of the granted funds could be lost if current deadlines are not extended. The proposal also criticizes the disparity with programs managed by the IDAE, which have received deadline extensions despite facing similar challenges.
“"The non-extension of deadlines could lead to the loss of tens of millions of euros fundamental for the sustainable development of the Canary Islands, as well as serious harm to institutions, companies, and citizens who have already committed investments under these calls."
The Popular Party will also take this initiative to the Congress of Deputies, as announced by the Minister of Ecological Transition, Mariano Hernández Zapata. Zapata stressed that these European funds are a crucial opportunity to advance the implementation of renewable energies in the Canary Islands, where they currently represent 20% compared to almost 60% on the peninsula, and will allow the installation of 200 MW of self-consumption, effectively doubling the installed renewable capacity.
