SHFT | Off The Grid, In The Middle Of The Atlantic

Off The Grid, In The Middle Of The Atlantic

Posted by Mitchell Flexo on July 7, 2011 in Energy

El Hierro, an island in the Canary Islands, will soon be powered entirely off renewable energy. With no more oil and fuel being imported from far away, this island can truly realize the concept of independence. The island will receive 80% of its energy needs from a wind farm and a hydroelectric plant, and get its remaining energy needs from solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic panels. Not only will this bold energy approach virtually eliminate carbon emissions caused by burning fossil fuels on the island, but will also cut 18,200 tons of CO2 purely in the transport of the fuels to the island that will no longer be necessary.

The project will be completed by the end of the year and will cost $87 million, providing electricity for all 11,000 of the island's populace. This is an island you could get lost on, and stay lost on.

- Mitchell Flexo

(via Earth Techling)

Photo: Bjorn Hoernitz