Canary Islands breaks ground on 36 MW of wind farms

July 20 (Renewables Now) - The Canary Islands government announced today that president Fernando Clavijo has participated in laying the first stone for two new wind farms with a combined capacity of 36.3 MW.

The Arete and La Roca wind parks, as they are named, are being built in the city of Granadilla de Abona by local firm Parque Eolico de Granadilla AIE.

Comprised of eight wind turbines combined, these facilities are expected to offset 67,859 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually and generate 252 jobs during the construciton period and 70 during operation. These plants will also generate total savings of EUR 195 million (USD 228.45m) to the local electrical system, the government said in a press release.

According to the Canary Islands' president, the region's wind sector has been progressing to the point that by the end of this year the government's target of renewables accounting for 20% of the energy consumed in the islands can be achieved.

(EUR 1 = USD 1.17)