Canary Islands to Receive Technological Boost with New Underwater Cable Project
The Canary Islands archipelago is poised for a significant technological advancement with a new underwater cable project linking Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura. Following the completion of marine surveys, the initiative is moving closer to realization.
Project Overview: Enhancing Connectivity in the Eastern Canary Islands
Spearheaded by CanaLink, an affiliate of Tenerife Cabildo’s Institute of Renewable Energy Technology (ITER), the GC-LNZ-FU Ring project is part of the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program. This undertaking will involve laying two new submarine cables, substantially upgrading capacity and enhancing connectivity across the eastern islands of the archipelago.
The new cables are designed to supersede the existing infrastructure, which is nearing its 25-year operational lifespan. Spanning approximately 344 miles in total, these cables represent a crucial upgrade to the region’s digital infrastructure.
Technical Specifications and Route Details
The primary route, Cable System 1, will originate from eastern Gran Canaria. Utilizing a branching unit, it will independently extend to Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, connecting their respective capital cities, as detailed by the European Commission.
Cable System 2 will serve as a redundant pathway, linking Fuerteventura and Lanzarote to Gran Canaria through two entirely separate routes. This redundancy will significantly bolster the system’s resilience against potential disruptions. This secondary system will connect the northern part of Gran Canaria with Corralejo in Fuerteventura and Playa Blanca in Lanzarote.
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Project Budget and Timeline
The deployment of these new submarine cables in the Canary Islands represents a total investment of 34 million euros (£28 million), with 23 million euros (£19 million) secured under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital programme.
Launched in January 2023, the project is on track for completion in September 2026, spanning a 45-month duration.
Marine Surveys Completed: Assessing the Seabed Environment
Specialist firms Elettra and Geoteam have finalized comprehensive marine surveys to identify potential hazards and ecologically sensitive zones along the planned cable routes. These survey operations took approximately two months to accomplish.
The survey process commenced in Fuerteventura, gathering marine data and employing drones for topographic assessments. An oceanographic vessel was utilized to examine the waters surrounding Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria.
Advanced Technology for Seabed Mapping
Sophisticated instruments, including multibeam echosounders and side-scan sonar, were deployed to meticulously analyze the seabed. This advanced technology generated detailed maps illustrating the seafloor’s topography and sediment distribution.
In coastal areas, drones and expert divers conducted topographic surveys, with local companies investigating the terrain at prospective cable landing locations.
Stakeholder Perspectives
“These studies represent a confident step forward,” stated Juan José Martínez, Tenerife Cabildo’s Minister of Research, Development, and Innovation, highlighting the progress made.
Carlos Suárez, ITER’s technical director, noted that beyond facilitating new cable installation, the project has yielded an added benefit: a deeper understanding of the ocean floor surrounding the islands.