On April 7, a broad representation of energy, maritime, business, university, research centers, professional and trade union organizations, and public administrations gathered at the Cabildo de Gran Canaria. The purpose was to sign a letter addressed to the Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, requesting progress in the offshore wind auction and communicating this joint action to the society of Gran Canaria.
This initiative, organized in close collaboration with the Canary Islands Maritime Cluster, highlights the island's readiness to adopt this technology. It is seen as a crucial opportunity for the economic, energy, and industrial development of Gran Canaria, as offshore wind not only complements the energy mix but also reduces energy dependence, diversifies the economy, and creates skilled jobs in future sectors.
Despite progress in Spain, such as the approval of the Maritime Space Management Plans (POEM) and the definition of a basic regulatory framework, offshore wind has not yet taken off. Meanwhile, Europe is advancing, consolidating its industry and attracting investment. The island does not want to be left behind, based on its energy planning, which recognizes the need for stable technologies in an isolated system.
Floating offshore wind is presented as an ideal solution, offering more constant generation complementary to solar, which would effectively reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Studies, such as that by the Canary Islands Maritime Cluster within the aliSEAos project, estimate that a 500-megawatt offshore wind deployment could generate billions of euros and thousands of jobs in the archipelago. The University of Comillas has also highlighted the short-term economic competitiveness of offshore wind in the Canary Islands.
“"Offshore wind in the Canary Islands is more competitive than in any peninsular maritime area. That in this archipelago it is economically viable in the short term."
The economic impact is not guaranteed and depends on the integration of the local business fabric into the value chain, which ranges from engineering to operation and maintenance. Gran Canaria boasts an experienced maritime-port sector, prepared companies, technical knowledge, and a strategic position in the Atlantic, which can turn it into a reference logistics hub.
This development is not planned in isolation but integrated into a broader energy model that includes storage, intelligent demand management, and electrification. A new competitive tender is requested, based on system flexibility and storage, along with a specific remuneration framework for the islands. Infrastructures like the Salto de Chira and the proposal to add the Las Niñas dam reinforce this model.
The island has actively participated in planning, adjusting wind development zones to reduce landscape impact and improve compatibility with other activities. The public consultation initiated by the ministry is valued, but the need for concrete decisions and a clear timetable for the sector is emphasized. A commercial pilot project in Gran Canaria is proposed to activate the value chain and demonstrate the model's viability.
Finally, it is considered essential to establish quantifiable targets for local industry participation, ensuring that floating offshore wind becomes a true engine of socioeconomic development for businesses and the island. Gran Canaria is ready for this step, and the MITECO is expected to translate this readiness into concrete actions.
