The Government of the Canary Islands has launched a photovoltaic installation in the Pino Seco Tunnel in Mogán, which will generate 38% of the energy consumed by the infrastructure. The project, funded by Next Generation funds, will prevent the emission of 1,462 tonnes of CO2 over two decades.
The Pino Seco Tunnel, located in the municipality of Mogán in Gran Canaria, already has a self-consumption photovoltaic installation that will cover 38% of its energy demand. The initiative, consisting of 234 solar panels, was presented this Friday by the Minister of Public Works, Housing and Mobility, Pablo Rodríguez, accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Ecological Transition, Julieta Schallenberg, and the Director General of Road Infrastructure, Rosana Melián.
The Mayor of Mogán, Onalia Bueno, and the second deputy mayor, Juan Hernández, were also present during the visit. The total investment amounts to €1,397,147.73, funded through the Next Generation funds of the European Union, managed by the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
A green strategy for Canary Islands roads
The project is part of the Green Strategy for Road Infrastructure promoted by the Government of the Canary Islands to advance towards a more sustainable road network. Pablo Rodríguez highlighted that "sustainability is already a strategic axis of the infrastructure policy of the Government of the Canary Islands. With initiatives like that of the Pino Seco Tunnel, we are moving towards a more efficient road network".
This strategy includes four pilot renewable energy projects in other tunnels and links in the regional network. In addition to Pino Seco, panels have been installed in the tunnel of El Bicho (TF-1) in Tenerife; the La Cumbre tunnel (LP-3) in La Palma; and the Butihondo link (FV-2) in Fuerteventura. In all cases, the generated energy will primarily be used to power the lighting and operational systems of the infrastructures.
Environmental and economic benefits
The installation will prevent the emission of 1,462 tonnes of CO2 over the next 20 years, equivalent to the absorption of a considerable-sized forest. Rosana Melián explained that "the implementation of self-consumption energy systems in road infrastructures allows for the optimisation of public resources, reducing energy dependence and improving long-term sustainability".
For the residents of Mogán and drivers passing through the GC-1, this initiative represents an improvement in service efficiency without noticeable changes in daily operations, but with a positive impact on the environment of the region. The generated energy will be directly injected into the tunnel systems, reducing the electrical bill of the infrastructure.
Cooperation between administrations
Julieta Schallenberg emphasised that "the energy transition also involves utilising existing infrastructures to produce clean energy. Spaces such as road environments offer an opportunity to continue incorporating renewables without generating greater land occupation".
The deputy minister added that "the energy transition is a cross-cutting policy that can only advance through cooperation between administrations. In this case, the joint work between Ecological Transition and Public Works is allowing for the incorporation of innovative solutions into the archipelago's road network".
This is the second public visit by the Executive to a self-consumption installation in the road network, following the presentation of the El Bicho tunnel. Upcoming initiatives include the renovation of lighting and climate control systems in five more infrastructures, within the same energy efficiency plan.
The project, which is already operational, marks another step towards the decarbonisation of the archipelago and demonstrates that Canary Islands roads can be part of the climate solution, not just the problem.
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