Island nears energy independence

Filmed and edited by Ramón J. Goñi
El Hierro, Spain / BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7951286.stm

Within the next year, one of Spains tiny Canary Islands, El Hierro, hopes to become completely energy independent.

After 10 years of planning, the infrastructure is being put in place to transform the island (with its population of 10,000 inhabitants) into a fully self-sufficient zone.

A variety of renewable energy systems are being used, with an emphasis on wind and solar. They also plan to implement hydrogen cars and ban oil completely from the island.

The project could save annual Co2 emissions which otherwise experts say could otherwise only be absorbed by a forest as big as 20,000 football fields.

According to some experts, the model could be exported to 100 other islands and locations around the world.


Published on BBC NEWS (3/30/2009)
Producer & Reporter: Ramón J. Goni
Shot & Edited: Ramón J. Goñi
Stills: Jake Price

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• BBC
• News
• Ramon
• Goni
• Spain
• Canary
• Islands
• El
• Hierro
• Renewable
• Energy
• Wind
• Solar
• Panels
• Hyhdroelectric
• self-sufficiency
• independence
• sustainability
• carbon-free
• emissions
• self
• sufficiency
• US
• Hawaii

[KashaSasha]

This is amazing! Thank you Thomas Padron!!!

[MrCooldrummerdude]

This needs more attention! Thank you BBC!

[TenikePatrio]

Very good video. Thanks BBC, spanish TV never did any video like this, they want to do us (canarians) more dependent of spain. We want to gain independence, in energy, in economy, in culture and politicaly

[ashford4411]

Video needs more exposure

Excellent