Hydroelectric power to make Canary Island become 100% renewable energy powered

This will be the first island in the world to use only renewable energy. El Hierro will rely on mainly hydroelectric power generated using two reservoirs.  The reservoirs will be filled using pumping stations powered by a wind farm. These in turn will feed the hydro plant with water, which will then be able to generate up to 10 mW. A diesel power plant will remain as a contingency should problems occur.

Another positive side effect of the project for the 10,500 residents of the island is that excess wind power will be used to run 2 desalination plants. Spain’s government along with Germany has been one of the pioneers of the renewable energy initiatives in Europe. This will no doubt bring great insight in how remote and small islands will be able to sustain themselves using natural energy around them in abundance. Surely other nations such as Indonesia will be watching to see what the results are and whether it might work in their nation as well.