The sun of San Agustín, a pillar of tourism in southern Gran Canaria, could see its brilliance threatened by a new technological proposal. A subsidiary of the Sistem Group, owned by the CPS Group, a 100% Spanish business group, has announced a €6,6 million project to install a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), consisting of 12 containers on a 1.000-square-meter site.
Contradictions. The technical report, signed by former deputy minister Adrián Mendoza (CC), states that "the future site is on land designated for industrial use, and a municipal license could be obtained to implement the project, as such use is compatible with the planned activity." However, Arcadio Domínguez Jiménez, the Telde engineer who drafted the technical project, states that "this is an area classified as rural land, strategically located next to a high-capacity highway and close to tourist development areas, including hotels and holiday residential complexes."
The main fear lies in the possibility of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries. This phenomenon, in which a cell overheats uncontrollably and initiates a chain reaction, can lead to a fire or, in the worst case, an explosion. These fires are not like conventional ones; they are extremely difficult to extinguish, as the chemical reactions within the battery produce their own oxygen, rendering traditional extinguishing methods ineffective. While the industry has improved safety systems, zero risk does not exist, and the precedent of incidents in other parts of the world, such as the one that occurred in Liverpool in 2020, continues to generate concern.
In addition to fire, burning lithium batteries releases highly toxic gases. Hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide, and other hazardous substances could spread, posing a serious health risk to firefighters and, depending on wind conditions, also to St. Augustine residents and tourists. Air pollution would be a direct blow to the area's image as a sun and beach destination and a real threat to the surrounding population.
The €6,6 million investment and the need to manage renewable energy on the island are compelling arguments for the company and the authorities. However, the local community and the tourism sector have learned of this because the Canary Islands Government has placed the project on the BOC (Official Gazette) in case any interested parties wish to make representations. Although BESS installations in the Canary Islands are common for stabilizing the electricity grid, the location of this particular project, near a high-density tourist area, makes it a particularly sensitive case. The peace and safety of visitors and residents, the pillars of the island's successful tourism model, are the priority in this debate that is just beginning.
