The PSOE of Lanzarote accuses Betancort of "deceiving" about the implementation of renewables in Tías

The PSOE of Lanzarote has denounced that the request for authorization to install a new photovoltaic macro-project in the municipality of Tías "once again exposes the contradictions of Oswaldo Betancort" regarding the implementation of renewable energies on the island. "While the president of the Cabildo assures that no declaration of public interest has been applied under article 6 bis, large-scale energy projects continue to be promoted in areas of high landscape, agricultural, and residential value," state the socialists.

The general secretary of the PSOE of Lanzarote and deputy in Congress, María Dolores Corujo, has pointed out that the processing of this project "confirms that the threat to the territory remains fully in force, despite the announcements made by the president of the Cabildo."

“Oswaldo Betancort has deceived the population by promising an orderly and consensual implementation of renewable energies, while the files reveal a completely different reality. Macro-projects continue to advance behind the backs of the residents, and another one now intends to occupy land in Tías with enormous landscape, agricultural, and residential value,” denounced Corujo.

The project affects the area of Mácher and has received an unfavorable report from the Tías City Council for reasons of great technical, urbanistic, environmental, and social relevance.

Among the reasons given are its incompatibility with current urban planning and with the agricultural protection of the area, as well as the strong landscape impact it would cause on Mácher and its surroundings.

The municipal report also warns of the absence of justified reasons of urgency or exceptional interest, possible risks to public infrastructure, substantial defects in the documentation submitted, and the lack of sufficient technical justification.

“The Cabildo and the Government of the Canary Islands are designing an energy model from their offices that puts Lanzarote's landscape at the service of large companies, without listening to the affected town councils or residents,” denounced María Dolores Corujo. “Decisions about Lanzarote's energy future must involve the municipalities and citizens,” she added.

Corujo assured that the PSOE of Lanzarote "shares the need to advance in the implementation of renewable energies, always with planning, environmental guarantees, respect for planning, and protection of agricultural land and landscape".

“Lanzarote needs a serious, orderly energy transition that is respectful of the territory. Renewables must be installed in the appropriate places, with technical criteria and citizen participation,” she pointed out.

The socialist general secretary also accused Oswaldo Betancort of "using the supposed withdrawal of the ZAR to try to disassociate himself from a process that had his support and affects thousands of hectares in Lanzarote and La Graciosa".

“Betancort knew about the mapping, he endorsed it, and now he intends to present himself as a defender of the territory. This new project in Tías shows that his announcements lack credibility and that the threat continues,” she stated.