The energy transition is once again igniting controversy in Gran Canaria. The new "Aguadulce" photovoltaic megaproject, promoted by the Italian company Enel Green Power—a subsidiary of Endesa Canarias and almost 50% owned by the Arab fund Masdar—aims to occupy more than 120.000 square meters of rural agricultural land in Jerez (Telde). The plan, which includes 18.000 solar panels, 11 lithium battery containers, and a 3,5-kilometer power line, has been described by Turcón (Ecologistas en Acción) as a case of "energy colonization" that threatens the municipality's agricultural and social future.
A model imposed from outside
The operation is covered by a declaration of public utility, which would allow the expropriation of land from individuals, the City Council, and the Cabildo itself. For Turcón, the strategy reflects a "speculative and centralized" model that prioritizes the profits of multinationals over the sustainable development of the territory.
"What was once fertile land for export has now become an energy hub, alien to the island's reality," say environmentalists, who criticize the lack of proposed alternatives, such as installing renewable energy on rooftops, industrial warehouses, or degraded land near consumption sites.
Territorial and social impact
The group warns that the plant's implementation will lead to the irreversible loss of agricultural land with high ecological value: carbon sinks, water filtration areas, and traditional grazing areas. Furthermore, they warn of a "severe social conflict" resulting from the forced expropriations, which will affect dozens of families and smallholders.
The construction of the new power line to Lomo Bristol adds another layer of artificiality to the landscape, altering land use and generating friction with current planning.
Endesa remains silent
The project is part of Enel Green Power's renewable energy push, following the sale of 49,99% of its solar division in Spain to Masdar for €817 million in 2024. In the Canary Islands, the strategy is to deploy large plants on rural land, despite social and environmental criticism.
