NEW SOLAR FARM PROPOSAL NEAR PUERTO DEL CARMEN SPARKS CONCERN IN LANZAROTE

A proposed solar farm with more than 6,000 panels in Mácher has prompted objections from local authorities, reopening the debate over renewable energy, agricultural land and the protection of Lanzarote’s distinctive landscape. A new solar energy project planned for the municipality of Tías is attracting attention after the Canary Islands Government opened a public consultation on plans for a large photovoltaic installation in Mácher, close to the road linking Puerto del Carmen and Puerto Calero. Known as the Tías II solar farm, the proposed development would cover approximately 73,269 square metres and involve an investment of more than €2.3 million. However, the plans have met resistance from the Ayuntamiento de Tías and the Cabildo of Lanzarote, which have raised concerns about the impact on rural land and the island’s environment.

WHAT IS PLANNED FOR THE TÍAS II SOLAR FARM?

The project, promoted by RS Iberia 23 SL, proposes installing 6,288 photovoltaic panels capable of generating electricity from the island’s abundant sunshine. According to the published project information, the installation would have a peak generating capacity of approximately 4.527 megawatts and a nominal capacity of four megawatts. The plans also include electrical conversion equipment and an underground cable route measuring approximately 3.2 kilometres to connect the facility to the electricity network. The proposed site is in the Mácher area of Tías, on land near the road between Puerto del Carmen and Puerto Calero. Its location has become a central part of the debate because the surrounding countryside forms part of the rural landscape that residents and visitors associate with Lanzarote.

WHY ARE LOCAL AUTHORITIES OBJECTING?

The Ayuntamiento de Tías has expressed strong opposition to the proposal, arguing that the development raises questions about land-use planning and the protection of agricultural areas. The council has challenged whether a large-scale energy installation is compatible with the planning classification of the land. It has also raised concerns about the visual impact of covering such a substantial area of open countryside with solar panels. The Cabildo de Lanzarote has likewise indicated its opposition, arguing that renewable energy should be developed in a carefully planned way that gives priority, where possible, to rooftops, existing infrastructure and already-developed land rather than placing additional pressure on rural areas. These objections do not mean that a final decision has been made. The project remains within the administrative process, and the relevant authorities must consider the application and the issues raised before its future can be determined.

WHEN COULD A DECISION BE MADE?

The Canary Islands Government published the Tías II proposal for public information on 9 October 2026. The consultation period is 30 days, allowing interested parties to examine the documentation and submit representations. The project is also subject to a simplified environmental impact assessment, which is to be processed alongside the separate Tías I solar farm proposal. It is important to distinguish between a project being placed on public display and receiving final permission to proceed. Opening a consultation allows the application to be examined; it does not, by itself, mean that construction has been approved. Residents who wish to understand the proposal in greater detail can consult the official documentation through the relevant Canary Islands Government channels.

THE WIDER DEBATE: RENEWABLE ENERGY VERSUS PROTECTING LANZAROTE

Lanzarote benefits from plentiful sunshine, making solar power an attractive option for reducing reliance on conventional energy sources. Expanding renewable electricity generation can help the Canary Islands move towards a more sustainable energy system. However, the location of large solar installations matters, particularly on an island where volcanic scenery, agricultural land and open rural spaces contribute to its identity. Lanzarote’s landscape is not simply a backdrop for tourism. It is also part of the island’s cultural heritage and the environment in which local communities live and work. The question facing planners is therefore not simply whether solar energy should be developed, but how and where it should be introduced. Rooftop solar panels, commercial buildings, car parks and suitable areas of previously developed land are among the alternatives often considered when seeking to increase renewable capacity while limiting the loss of open countryside. The Tías II proposal illustrates the challenge of balancing these priorities.

COULD THE PROPOSED SOLAR FARM AFFECT TOURISTS?

For holidaymakers staying in Puerto del Carmen, the proposal is primarily a local planning and environmental issue at this stage. There is no confirmed construction timetable, and the project has not been finally approved. The proposed location is near the road connecting Puerto del Carmen and Puerto Calero, so the development’s potential visual effect on the surrounding countryside is one of the concerns being discussed. There is currently no basis to suggest that the proposal would directly affect beaches, hotel facilities or normal holiday activities. Its eventual impact would depend on the final decision, any conditions attached to an approval and the development that might ultimately take place.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The next stage is the consideration of the application, environmental assessment and any objections submitted during the consultation period. The positions taken by Tías Council and the Cabildo are significant, but the final outcome will depend on the relevant administrative and legal procedures. The Tías II proposal is also distinct from the earlier Tías I solar project, although the two are linked through the planned environmental assessment process. For residents, the issue raises important questions about land protection, energy planning and how future infrastructure should fit into Lanzarote’s landscape. For visitors, it is another example of the decisions that shape the island’s future as a tourism destination and a place to live.

NEW SOLAR FARM PROPOSAL NEAR PUERTO DEL CARMEN SPARKS CONCERN IN LANZAROTE