Protecting the Maspalomas Dunes is supposed to be one of the major objectives of the south of Gran Canaria. Light pollution in the south of Gran Canaria has increased with tourist, urban and industrial development, especially in areas such as Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés. This phenomenon has visible effects on the environment and local biodiversity, such as alterations in the nocturnal cycles of animal species that depend on darkness for their activity and orientation, especially migratory birds. In addition, intense artificial light affects astronomical observation in areas close to the Temisas Astronomical Observatory and limits natural views of the night sky, a tourist resource appreciated in the Canary Islands due to its clear skies.
Measures to mitigate this pollution in the south of the island include the use of adequate public lighting that reduces glare and direct emission to the sky, encouraging the use of lights with a warmer and less polluting spectrum. In 2019, the Cabildo of Gran Canaria promoted initiatives to reduce the use of high-intensity LED lights in public spaces and promote technologies that minimize light dispersion. The Gran Canaria Biosphere Reserve also supports the regulation of lighting to conserve nocturnal ecosystems and attract environmentally friendly tourism.
Despite these initiatives, urban expansion in coastal areas and the growth of night-time tourism pose significant challenges to reducing light pollution. The increase in infrastructure and the intensity of commercial activities at night are seen as key factors that require stricter sustainability policies, in the hope of protecting both the natural environment and tourism interests that value dark sky conservation.
Energy consumption in the south of Gran Canaria has followed a trend of significant growth in recent decades, driven by tourism and urban development, although this has been complemented by efforts to introduce renewable energy in the region. Currently, electricity generation in Gran Canaria still relies heavily on fossil fuels, which account for a significant part of CO₂ emissions on the island, especially due to the high demand in the transport and electricity sectors. However, there have been recent advances, such as the implementation of self-consumption projects, which have seen an increase in installed power in recent years, from less than 5 MW in 2019 to more than 28 MW in 2022. This represents approximately half of the installed self-consumption capacity in all the Canary Islands.
The south of Gran Canaria, due to its concentration of tourist facilities, has a relatively high demand for electricity compared to other regions of the island. This includes the supply of electricity for air conditioning and lighting systems in tourist accommodation, as well as leisure facilities. In addition, the energy transmission network has required adjustments to support this demand, while progress is being made on projects such as the reversible pumped storage hydroelectric power plant at Salto de Chira, which will serve as an important resource for energy storage and grid stability.
