The Ministry of Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion and Waters of the Government of the Canary Islands has handed over to the Cabildo of El Hierro the expansion works of the Los Cangrejos desalination plant, in the municipality of Valverde. The investment of 1.9 million euros has allowed the renovation of one of its modules.
These works, added to those recently completed at the La Restinga desalination plant in El Pinar, will increase the island's desalinated water production by 15% and reduce energy costs by 30%.
The Vice-Minister of Water and Emergencies, Marcos Lorenzo, accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture, Narvay Quintero, and the Director General of Water, José García Leal, visited the facility with the President of the Insular Council of El Hierro, Alpidio Armas, and the manager of the Insular Water Council, Félix Armas.
The project, promoted by the Directorate General of Water, involved the renovation of module B, incorporating a new rack of 140 reverse osmosis membranes capable of producing 1,200 m³/day, expandable to 1,800 m³/day in emergency situations. The facility, previously expanded in 2018 by the Cabildo, required this new intervention due to demographic and agricultural growth in the municipality of Valverde.
Marcos Lorenzo stated that the commissioning of this expansion culminates a process initiated two years ago to renovate both desalination plants, aiming to reinforce supply and mitigate the water crisis. He emphasized that these infrastructures not only guarantee quality water for supply but also incorporate state-of-the-art technology to control the rising energy costs of water production, which is crucial to contain in the Canary Islands.
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty, Narvay Quintero, highlighted the need for structural solutions due to the lack of rainfall, mentioning the 1.5 million euro financing from his Ministry for two containerized seawater desalination plants. This investment will provide around 900,000 m³ of water for irrigation, benefiting approximately 100 hectares and over 250 farmers, thereby strengthening food sovereignty and the continuity of the primary sector.
The works at the Los Cangrejos desalination plant have run parallel to similar, already completed works at the La Restinga plant. Between both facilities, the production capacity has increased from just over 5,000 m³ per day to 6,000 m³, with improved energy efficiency. The projects also included soundproofing the modules to allow 24-hour operation without disturbing local residents.
The President of the Cabildo of El Hierro, Alpidio Armas, stated that guaranteeing water for supply and agriculture is an absolute priority for the Cabildo. He affirmed that, thanks to the joint work with the Government of the Canary Islands and the Government of Spain, water production capacity in El Hierro is now guaranteed. The current challenge is to continue improving distribution and storage infrastructure to ensure this security reaches all corners of the island.
Armas concluded that El Hierro is committed to water as a commitment to its future, building a more solid and resilient system through inter-administrative collaboration.
