Tenerife Port Authority Unveils Strategy to Become Atlantic Energy Hub
The Port Authority of Tenerife is positioning itself as a leading Atlantic energy hub by investing in sustainable infrastructure, circular economy projects, and grid modernization to enhance its long-term maritime competitiveness.
The recent Bunkering & Sustainability Forum 2026 highlighted a new strategic direction for the Port Authority of Tenerife as it looks to boost its competitiveness in the Atlantic. Officials confirmed plans to transform the island into a leading energy hub by specializing its infrastructure and attracting private investment to drive the shift toward cleaner maritime fuels.
The port of Granadilla is central to this strategy. The goal is to turn it into a production and supply center for new energy sources, with plans already underway to convert organic waste into biogas. This focus on the circular economy complements the port’s established use of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Despite being a transitional fuel, LNG has helped Tenerife achieve a 47% increase in cruise ship refueling since the port pioneered the practice in Europe in 2018.
However, the port faces significant hurdles. Electrifying the docks is a priority for reducing carbon emissions and noise in nearby urban areas, with 60 million euros budgeted for cargo terminals. While shore power (OPS) is already used for inter-island ferries, providing electricity to cruise ships at the Ribera dock in Santa Cruz depends on the island’s grid capacity. Meeting this rising demand will require close cooperation between port authorities and energy providers.
Geopolitically, the Port Authority is calling for more regulatory flexibility from Brussels. There is concern that the strict application of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) could hurt the competitiveness of the Canary Islands compared to rapidly expanding ports in North Africa. To counter this, Tenerife is looking to work more closely with the port of Las Palmas, aiming to strengthen the Canary Islands' position against international rivals.
The forum also emphasized the need to professionalize the industry through technical training for nautical students. As the summer cruise season continues to drive short-term growth, the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is preparing for a future where sustainability is no longer optional, but essential to its long-term economic success.