The president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, has defended that the island "will set the path in the implementation of renewable energies" with "planning criteria, ensuring that energy development is carried out with balance and for the benefit of the population." He stated this in a press release after the PSOE of Lanzarote requested his appearance to explain his position on the interest of different promoters to install photovoltaic plants in Tías.
"From the first moment, we have defended that the introduction of renewable energies in Lanzarote and La Graciosa must be carried out with planning and respect for the environment. Our environmental and landscape awareness sets us apart, and it is our responsibility to preserve our identity while moving towards a more sustainable model," says Betancort.
The president emphasizes that the island will have the Ordinance for Homogenization of Rustic Land for the Penetration of Sustainable Energy starting next February, a regulation that will clearly define which lands can be used for renewable energy generation. "We have selected only residual rustic lands, without any type of protection, ensuring a development that does not compromise our natural environment," he explains.
This ordinance is the document on which "intensive work has been done" with the Government of the Canary Islands to propose the Renewable Acceleration Zones (ZAR) on the island, which, presumably, "will be approved in March."
"Lanzarote and La Graciosa," explains Oswaldo Betancort, "will be the first islands to have a comprehensive energy plan through their ordinance and to define these priority areas for the installation of renewable energies, through the renewable acceleration zones," stating that "this process will allow us to guarantee sustainable and orderly growth."
Likewise, the president points out that the Cabildo maintains a constant dialogue with the Ministry of Ecological Transition of the Government of the Canary Islands to coordinate the implementation of these measures. "In our last meeting with the Minister of Ecological Transition, in which the vice president of the Cabildo, María Jesús Tovar, and the Minister of Territorial Planning and Territorial Policy, Jesús Machín, were also present, we made our position clear and it was well received. Lanzarote is moving forward firmly and will soon have a solid and consensual energy plan," Betancort emphasizes.
Rejection of the photovoltaic plants of Mácher
Betancort also recalls that the Cabildo "has been blunt in its opposition to the processing of the 6bis, initiated by the Government of the Canary Islands following a regulated administrative procedure that cannot be ignored. And the consultation carried out by the regional Executive has been answered bluntly, showing the island's rejection."
"We immediately opposed this measure," adds Oswaldo Betancort, "especially because any action that affects our territory must be agreed upon with the Cabildo. We are the ones who decide where yes and where not, and in that line of dialogue we have always found the Canarian Government."
In addition, the president states that the Magec I project expired on January 1 due to the expiration of the term and highlights that the penetration of renewable energies in Lanzarote has been, until now, of public ownership. "We have always defended that renewable energies should be managed from the public sector so that the benefits remain in our land," concludes Betancort.
