Rancho Texas Park implements a strategic plan based on the ‘energy mix’ that combines photovoltaics and geothermal energy. With the launch of an installation capable of producing two megawatts (2,000 kilowatts) of clean energy, this project also integrates an innovative circular waste management based on recycling, accompanied by a firm commitment to kilometer zero, addressing chemical-free water treatment and didactic environmental education programs.
“An atom in the microcosm”, is how Nicolás López, owner of Rancho Texas Park, defines this idea that aims to balance the carbon footprint generated by tourism to zero: more than 200,000 annual visitors, nearly
10% of the tourism that comes to Lanzarote.
Solar energy
The photovoltaic installation, which produces 3,197MWh of clean energy annually, saves 21,467 tons of CO2 per year, the equivalent of the consumption of 916 single-family homes. During the day, there is a surplus of energy that is fed into the grid and more than compensates for the needs of the night. A total of four thousand photovoltaic panels that allow the life of all its inhabitants using only renewable energy.
This self-consumption plant allows the sustainable energy self-management of a tourist activity of great intensity, both in number of visitors and consumption of resources, so its two megawatts cover all the self-supply needs of an activity that moves more than 200,000 annual visitors, nearly 10% of the tourism that comes to Lanzarote.
Geothermal air conditioning
In addition to the photovoltaic implementation, Rancho Texas Park is working on the construction of a geothermal plant, which is part of the park's expansion in the water area. The installation allows the exchange of emerging heat from the earth to heat the pools, showers, hot water for the bars and restaurants, and the operation of the air conditioning throughout the park.
Rancho Texas Park has set out to eliminate the use of chemical products in its facilities through a copper-silver ionization filtration process, which allows the disinfection and elimination of pathogenic elements and significantly increases the quality of the water. This system, already implemented in the park, and in combination with the use of saline chlorinators, will be incorporated in all aquatic facilities for the benefit of both the inhabitants and the visitors.
Circular waste management, a circular management prototype
Another measure that is being developed is a circular waste management prototype. After carrying out the appropriate separation of waste, everything that can be transformed will be used following the criteria of maximum and creative reuse of waste to transform waste into a new resource of greater value. Therefore, following the natural and complete circle of this sustainable project, another of the aspects that is being developed is the kilometer zero garden.
Kilometer zero production gardens
In the same way that energy is compensated between day and night, the products grown in the park's gardens aim to balance the carbon footprint of those others that need to be transported from far away, due to the specific food needs of some species. The commitment to kilometer zero cultivation is very important, because in addition to producing food, the cultivated land contributes together with the park's forest mass to reduce greenhouse gases by absorbing CO2. SDGs: Education, environment and technology
As a complement, an innovative program is being developed in parallel that includes a technological investment in software, with screens and applications, to follow live everything that is happening at an energy level and
sustainability in the park. Visitors will be able to see the renewable energy facilities and learn about their operation. For their part, workers will be able to control maintenance digitally, through a mobile application that records all the needs and consumption that are occurring in real time.
In addition, an educational program is being developed aimed at Infant and Primary school students to raise awareness about sustainability and the origin of the Island through audiovisuals about the volcanic formation of Lanzarote and about the oceanic world. Young visitors learn to better understand the life and behavior of marine mammals, the relationship between man and his environment, or the importance of respecting the environment, the Earth and its seas.
This project, which began in 2023, is a personal initiative of the owners of this park that combines environment, technology and education, in line with the premises set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
Innovation and regeneration of the territory
This entire plan is part of a broad project to create a circular and sustainable model that will turn Rancho Texas Park into one of the pioneering zero-emission parks in the world. There are nearly one hundred thousand square meters (about ten hectares) dedicated to the enjoyment of tourists and residents who visit it and that generate a positive impact on the territory. Sometimes an atom in the microcosm is enough to infect the entire universe and this is the challenge that Rancho Texas Park projects with a one hundred percent innovative and sustainable vision.
