Canary Island politicians are raising concerns over plans to expropriate land for a solar energy project in Mácher, Lanzarote. The project aims to install 6,288 solar panels across 39 properties, prompting criticism from the political group Liberación Canaria.
Nicolás Cabrera Acosta, president of Liberación Canaria, argues that forcing landowners to give up their rights to facilitate private energy projects undermines public interests. He questioned the appropriateness of prioritising corporate interests over the community’s needs, particularly as the government grapples with unresolved issues regarding renewable energy zones.
The proposed Tías II project by RS Iberia 23 would occupy around 70,000 square metres and include a three-kilometre electricity line. The declaration of public utility requested by the developers could enable mandatory expropriations of private and public lands.
Cabrera Acosta called for rigorous evaluation before any public utility declaration is granted, emphasising the need for transparent assessments of the project’s necessity and its environmental and territorial implications. He warned against a scenario where the transition to renewable energy favours large companies while the local population bears the burden.
Liberación Canaria advocates for a comprehensive overhaul of the energy model, promoting local energy communities and prioritising the use of existing buildings for solar energy. The party demands that the Canary Islands maintain control over its energy policy and resources to avoid falling into further economic dependency on external corporations.
