Rhe Madrid government announced that one of the smallest Canary Island, El Hierro, will receive all its electricity from renewable energy sources (that is, if you consider hydro renewable).
The island – the first in the world – will rely on a combination of hydroelectricity and wind power to generate its electricity.
Most of the energy will come from a 10 MW hydroelectric plant, which will draw from two reservoirs.
A wind farm will generate electricity for a pumping station that will pump water to the two reservoirs that feed the hydroelectric stations.
Excess wind energy will be used to power two desalination plants.
An existing diesel-powered plant will be maintained for emergencies.
“Using this system, we can transform a intermittent energy source into a controlled and constant supply of electricity,” the ministry said of the 54.3 million euro (65 million dollar) scheme.
10,500 people live on the island.