The Governing Council of the Canary Islands approved energy emergency measures this Monday, laying out a clear framework to ease the power supply squeeze and reduce the risk of future outages. The document outlines the key actions aimed at stabilizing the grid, ensuring residents and businesses have reliable access to electricity during a period of heightened demand and constrained resources. This commitment marks a decisive step in safeguarding essential services and mitigating the impact of the ongoing energy crisis across the archipelago. [Citation: Gobierno de Canarias]
Advisor Mariano Hernandez Zapata confirmed a detail previously reported by this publication: the Ministry of Ecological Transition will cover not only the costs of immediate emergency actions, such as installing new generators, but will also guarantee the return on investment for the companies executing the work. This financial assurance was a major concern for the Canary Islands government because it directly affects the fiscal viability of the public commission overseeing the response. The arrangement is designed to attract capable contractors while shielding public funds from exposure to financial risk during the rapid deployment of critical capacity. [Citation: Gobierno de Canarias]
Hernandez Zapata indicated that, despite early hesitation, the ministry has given a green light to extend rapid, express solutions until a formal competitive process can be completed for long-term service provision. The policy ensures continuity of supply in the near term while the market conducts a proper tender process to select a sustainable supplier for ongoing support and maintenance. This approach balances urgent relief with due diligence and competitive procurement practices, aiming to deliver dependable service without unnecessary delays. [Citation: Gobierno de Canarias]
The advisor also noted notable industry interest. Several firms have signaled willingness to participate in both the emergency deployments and the subsequent tender process. The scope extends beyond a single island where the immediate risk to supply is most acute; authorities plan to extend emergency measures and service continuity across the other islands, guaranteeing operation until the regular competitive framework is in place. This broader plan reflects a comprehensive strategy to preserve energy security across the entire archipelago while the longer-term market mechanism is established. [Citation: Gobierno de Canarias]