Ten months after the Cumbre Vieja eruption, La Palma considers a bold energy future
Ten months after the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano, a moment of intense focus on La Palma’s recovery and resilience brings new energy to the surface. During a recent visit to the island, Félix Bolaños spoke with the scientific community involved in prevention, control, and ongoing study, aiming to translate expertise into concrete plans. The Scientific Committee pushed the conversation forward by discussing geothermal energy as a pathway to turning La Palma into a fully sustainable energy island.
The ambition is clear: make the island 100 percent renewable in its energy production and 100 percent sustainable in how that energy is generated. The idea is to frame the volcanic event not merely as a tragedy but as an opportunity to accelerate a green transition that benefits residents and the broader economy. Bolaños emphasized that the moment calls for turning scientific insight into practical action for lasting impact on La Palma’s energy landscape.
There was a strong reminder of the essential role scientists play in understanding and managing volcanic activity, and now their expertise should accelerate the island’s energy transformation. The central government has begun appointing a commissioner to coordinate all related projects, ensuring alignment across agencies and local leadership.
Both the Government of the Canary Islands and the La Palma Cabildo agreed to invest 30 million euros from state funds to explore and research the island’s geothermal potential. The goal is to generate energy locally, with a preference for southern La Palma, in the Fuencaliente municipality, to strengthen regional self-sufficiency.
The funding forms part of a broader package of 90 million euros dedicated to developing geothermal energy in the Canary Islands. Each of the islands targeted—Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and La Palma—receives a share of 30 million euros for exploration and research aimed at capturing geothermal capacity.
The meeting with the island’s scientific community took place at Roque de los Muchachos, a site that also offered Bolaños an opportunity to visit the Grand Canary Telescope. The visit underscored the connection between scientific infrastructure, energy strategy, and tourism-driven economic activity on La Palma.
Looking ahead, Bolaños’ agenda included a forthcoming discussion with the Canary Islands government about the status of reconstruction planning for La Palma. A central topic will be how land-use planning tools must adapt to address housing needs and the revival of local economic activities after the eruption.
He is set to co-chair the Joint Commission, joined by Ángel Víctor Torres, president of the Canary Islands government; Mariano Hernández Zapata, president of the Cabildo; and the mayors of the three affected municipalities—El Paso, Los Llanos de Aridane, and Tazacorte. Their collaboration reflects a shared commitment to rebuilding with resilience, while keeping the long-term energy transition in clear focus.
In the Mixed Commission, attention will turn to the problem of gas buildup in coastal areas of the Valley. The discussions will seek ways to reverse this trend while allowing neighbors to regain access to their homes. The meetings also aim to energize the local economy, with a focus on restoring La Palma’s tourism sector, often described as the island’s economic lifeblood.
Depending on planning outcomes, the commission will consider reactivating the housing allocation and addressing municipal bill payments to fund essential interventions. The aim is to support basic needs and lay the groundwork for stable community recovery after the crisis.
Special assistance is also on the table for people who have lost key aspects of their livelihoods tied to tourism. Villas and holiday homes, which complement family incomes, have been left out of previously proposed benefits because they are typically tied to individual ownership. Discussions continue about expanding targeted relief to prevent long-term economic hardship while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
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