New San Isidro Substation Boosts Tenerife Power Grid Stability
Red Eléctrica has commissioned a new 6.8 million euro electrical substation in Granadilla de Abona to strengthen Tenerife’s power grid and facilitate the island's transition to renewable energy.
The new San Isidro electrical substation in Granadilla de Abona is now operational, marking a significant step forward in strengthening Tenerife’s power grid. Red Eléctrica invested 6.8 million euros in the project, which was supported by the European Union’s NextGenerationEU funds as part of Spain’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.
Because Tenerife is an island, it lacks a connection to the mainland power grid. This makes the local system vulnerable to fluctuations, meaning the island must rely entirely on its own infrastructure to maintain a stable supply. By expanding the grid in the busy southern region, this new facility helps distribute energy more efficiently and provides a vital backup if technical issues arise.
The project is also a key part of the Canary Islands' shift toward greener energy. To move away from fossil fuels, the island needs a flexible network capable of handling power from renewable sources. The San Isidro substation acts as a central hub, making it easier to integrate clean energy into the grid.
From an engineering standpoint, the substation uses "gas-insulated switchgear" (GIS) technology. This allows the equipment to be housed indoors, which reduces the project's physical footprint and minimizes its visual impact on the surrounding landscape. The facility includes four connection points for the Arona and Granadilla power lines and a 200-meter section connecting to the existing grid.
Approved by the Canary Islands government last April, this new infrastructure provides the south of Tenerife with a more reliable power system, better prepared for both future growth and the transition to sustainable energy.