Los Realejos Council to Challenge Canary Islands Government Over New Power Plant Permit

The Canary Islands government has sparked a major institutional dispute after approving an emergency power plant in the La Gañanía industrial estate, located in Los Realejos. According to the Official Gazette of the Canary Islands (BOC), Minister Mariano Hernández Zapata has authorized the company DISA to install a 14.8 MW propane-fueled power plant.

Although the project was moved from its original planned site near homes in La Zamora to an industrial area near La Cruz Santa, the decision has not calmed local opposition. The Los Realejos municipal council—with unanimous support from the PP, PSOE, and CC—has vowed to challenge the decision legally. The La Cruz Santa Neighborhood Platform is working closely with the council to fight what they describe as an "imposition."

Under the terms of the permit, DISA has six months to request the plant’s commissioning. The project is strictly regulated: any changes to the technical plans will require a new permit, and the company must provide proof of grid connection rights and financial guarantees to cover potential damages.

The government justifies the plant as a temporary, three-year contingency measure to prevent power failures on the island. While the plant is intended only for use during grid emergencies, the permit allows for potential extensions if supply security remains a concern.

The authorization is not final, however. The government retains the right to revoke the permit if it discovers that the company provided false or inaccurate information. Municipal legal teams are now focusing on this clause as they look for ways to overturn the decision, setting the stage for a prolonged legal battle against the regional government.