There are days that are not forgotten. Days that are not just another act on the institutional agenda, but rather a turning point. The inauguration of the electrical interconnection between La Gomera and Tenerife is one of those moments that mark a before and after. Not only for what it represents from a technical point of view, but for what it means in terms of security and future for our island.
For too long, La Gomera has lived with the fragility of an isolated system. A model in which any incident becomes a greater threat and in which the risk of “zero energy” ceases to be a remote possibility and becomes a reality that we have already suffered. We experienced it in July 2023 and we verified it again in January of this same year.
That is why it is worth saying it loud and clear: the electricity supply is not just a matter of comfort. It is health, it is security, it is economy and it is daily life. It is the operation of a hospital, a residence, a school or a company. It is the tranquility of a home. And, on an island, that peace of mind cannot depend on luck or the ability to respond to a breakdown.
The interconnection that comes into operation links the Chío substation, in Guía de Isora (Tenerife), with that of El Palmar, in La Gomera. A double underground-submarine circuit of 36 kilometers that reaches a maximum depth of 1,145 meters. These are impressive figures, yes. But what is truly important is what they allow: leaving energy isolation behind, moving towards a more secure and stable system, and facilitating greater integration of renewable energies.
This link opens a double door: that of importing energy when necessary, but also that of exporting it when there is a surplus. And this is key because La Gomera is not starting from scratch on the path towards a cleaner energy model. But it would be a mistake to stop at the celebration alone. This achievement does not mean that everything is done. It means that we have overcome a historical barrier and that now it is time to face new challenges responsibly.
The first is obvious: complete the closure of the island electric ring to the south. Without this step, we will not have a truly robust distribution network, with the capacity to respond to incidents and with a balanced and efficient structure. The second challenge is to reinforce the conservation and maintenance programs of the network, because a great infrastructure is of no use if we do not guarantee that the energy reaches each home and each company with continuity and quality.
And the third, the most ambitious and also the most exciting, is to continue moving towards energy self-sufficiency. Bet on more renewables, especially solar energy in homes, companies and public buildings. Because the energy transition is not a fad: it is an obligation in the face of climate change and an opportunity to modernize our economy. Along this path, La Gomera already has “renewable acceleration zones”, which opens new possibilities to attract investment and generate employment linked to the green economy.
Today La Gomera wins in quality of service, security and resilience. But it also gains in external image and opportunities: to attract investment, to promote a more competitive and sustainable economy, to modernize strategic sectors and to move with determination towards a cleaner future.
None of this would have been possible without years of planning, investment and coordination. Behind this infrastructure there is engineering, commitment and strategic vision. And, of course, the joint effort of administrations, professionals and human teams that have worked to make this day come.
A little over a century ago, electricity began to arrive in La Gomera unevenly, in stages, with modest engines and pioneering projects. Today, however, we connect to stability and security. We connect to the real possibility of a cleaner energy future. And, above all, we connect to the certainty of continuing to move forward as this island has always done: with effort, unity, common sense and determination to improve the lives of our people.
