The citizens' platform of Salinetas celebrates the decision to relocate the propane gas plant project, but warns that it will continue to oppose if it is located in another part of the municipality of Telde.
The citizens' platform that opposed the installation of a propane gas plant in Salinetas, in the municipality of Telde, has positively assessed the decision to move the project to another site, although it has reiterated its rejection of such infrastructures being implemented anywhere else in the municipality.
In a statement released this Saturday, the platform —comprising Turcón Ecologistas en Acción, Salto a la Transición Ecológica, and the neighbourhood association MECLASA (Melenara, Clavellinas and Salinetas)— described the change of location as a "victory of community mobilization."
Implicit recognition of unsuitability
The groups argue that the decision represents an acknowledgment that the initially planned site, close to residential areas, was not suitable and justified the opposition expressed by residents, associations, and institutions over the past months.
They have also thanked the support received from the public and various groups that have joined the protests against the installation of the plant in Salinetas.
"It is a victory of community mobilization," the platform states in its statement.
Criticism of the energy model and fear of a new location
Despite the change of location, the platform has expressed concern that the promoting company, Disa, may maintain the project in another place, as it continues to bet on a model based on fossil fuels.
The associations argue that electricity generation plants using propane prolong the energy dependence of the archipelago and delay the development of renewable alternatives compatible with decarbonization goals.
For the residents of Salinetas, the joy over the withdrawal of the initial project is mixed with the uncertainty that the infrastructure may end up in another neighbourhood of Telde, such as Melenara or Clavellinas, which are also densely populated areas.
Demand for renewable solutions and transparency
The platform has insisted that the security of electricity supply must be guaranteed through clean technologies and not through new infrastructures linked to fossil fuels.
Therefore, it has requested the Government of the Canary Islands, Red Eléctrica, and the promoting companies to reconsider the planned investments and prioritise projects aligned with the energy transition.
Additionally, it has announced that it will continue to monitor any similar initiatives that may arise in the future to ensure they comply with transparency, public participation, and environmental assessment procedures.
For now, the residents of Salinetas breathe a sigh of relief, but they have made it clear that they will not let their guard down. The next meeting of the platform is scheduled for next week, where they will evaluate the next steps and possible actions if the project reappears in another part of the municipality.
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