The urgency of the energy transition, far from being a merely ideological issue, is based on geopolitical instability and the inherent risks of an energy system dependent on fossil fuels. International bodies and the scientific community have warned for decades about this problem, although progress towards a cleaner model is still insufficient given the magnitude of the global challenge.
The most visible impact of the current energy model is global warming, with an increase of approximately 1.1 °C in the average global temperature since the pre-industrial era, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This has intensified extreme phenomena such as heatwaves, wildfires, and droughts. Furthermore, the World Health Organization estimates that air pollution, largely derived from burning fossil fuels, causes nearly seven million deaths annually, highlighting a global public health crisis.
The reliance on resources concentrated in unstable regions has created structural fragility, as seen in Europe after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when gas prices soared. Recently, tensions in the Middle East, including the Iran war, have pushed Brent crude prices above $100, impacting inflation and energy security. In response, Europe has launched a ten-point plan to reduce demand.
“"The Iran war is already the biggest threat in history to energy security."
In this context, renewable energies such as solar, wind, and hydro are presented as a strategy for sovereignty and stability. They are indigenous, abundant, and increasingly competitive resources; the cost of solar photovoltaic electricity has fallen by 85% since 2010, and onshore wind by 55%, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The sector employs over 13 million people globally, with projections to double.
Despite progress, deployment is not meeting the Paris Agreement targets to limit warming to 1.5 °C. In Canarias, the far-right has proposed installing small nuclear power plants at sea, although international officials like Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, insist on the urgency of accelerating the energy transition.
“"Every crisis is a reminder that dependence on fossil fuels is not only unsustainable from a climate perspective, but also dangerous from a geopolitical perspective."
The transition must be rapid and structural, encompassing transport, industry, and consumption, with green electrification, battery storage, green hydrogen, and energy efficiency. Ensuring a just and inclusive transition, distributing the benefits of new technologies equitably, is crucial. The International Monetary Fund estimates that an accelerated transition could create millions of jobs and foster global growth.
In Spain, the high penetration of renewables has allowed it to better face the energy crisis than other European countries, containing electricity prices. The Royal Decree-Law 7/2026 expands shared self-consumption and offers tax deductions, mobilizing 2 billion euros for clean industry and setting a target of 16,000 MW in battery storage. In April 2025, 100% of peninsular demand was covered by clean sources.
However, the delay in implementing offshore wind in Gran Canaria is highlighted as a crucial step for the island's energy sovereignty, along with projects like Salto de Chira and its expansion to Las Niñas, geothermal energy, and a new competitive tender for a flexible storage system.
