Imogen Calderwood
A SPANISH island has become the first land mass in the world to be fully energy self-sufficient – using combined water and wind power.
The smallest and least known of the Canary Islands, El Hierro has put itself on the map with its ground-breaking advances.
A wind farm will open at the end of June, near the capital of Valverde, with an output of 11.5 megawatts – more than enough to supply the island’s 10,000 residents.
Off the Atlantic coast of Africa, El Hierro is ideally placed to harvest strong winds coming in off the ocean.
When there is no wind, reservoir water will be channeled through turbines to generate sufficient electricity.
El Hierro is inspiring leaders of other islands around the world to follow their lead, including Aruba – off Venezuela – Hawaii, Samso in Denmark, Oki in Japan, and Indonesia.
