Tag Archives: Energy

Offshore wind energy in Northern Menorca

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In February 2023, Spain approved the Maritime Spatial Plans (MSP) to regulate various marine activities across the country, including renewable energy installations. These plans designated two areas north of Menorca (LEBA 2 and LEBA 3) as the only spaces in the Balearic Islands where offshore wind projects could be developed.

This year, a French company introduced the “Gregal Offshore Wind Project,” planned for the LEBA 2 area. GOB Menorca has sent a report to the Ministry of Ecological Transition with several considerations.

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Menorcan challenges on World Tourism Day

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An excessive number of vehicles, overcrowded spaces, water shortages, and increased energy pollution are all consequences of Menorca’s growing touristification. When combined with housing difficulties and a gradual drop in per capita income, it is clear that the island’s tourism model needs rethinking.

On World Tourism Day, the GOB reflects on the growing social unrest in many nearby tourist hotspots.

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Land stewardship agreement with a solar park

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Taking advantage of the conditions of low human presence in a solar park, GOB has signed a land stewardship agreement with the Parc del Camí de Sant Joan in order to promote maximum biodiversity.

The installation of a solar energy park will begin to be constructed in the next few months and will occupy about 10 hectares of very rocky land. It has obtained a favourable report from the Medi Ambient department and a municipal licence.

The idea is to carry out various activities at the points where there are no solar panels in order to help different fauna: make drinking troughs with safe access; warm refuges for insects; stone refuges for mammals; areas for sowing cereals; enhancement of wild flowers of different seasons, etc.

GOB has already produced some inventories of flora and fauna of the area in order to be able to monitor the changes as they occur.

The implementation of renewable energies in rural areas has quite exhaustive criteria relating to zoning, integration with the countryside and construction systems, aimed at avoiding the irreversible transformation of the land. With this agreement, the aim is to go further and try out activities that help fauna in a positive way.

We are confident that good results will follow and that the experience serves to increase the environmental benefits of renewable installations that are being implemented on the island.

Look here to see the commemorative video of 45 years of GOB in Menorca.

Urban Agenda for Menorca: debate at the Ateneu

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This evening, Thursday 3 March, will be the last of the round table discussions at the Ateneu concerned with projects applying for European Next Generation funding. Menorca has been designated as the pilot area for the Spanish Urban Agenda for the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda. It is concerned with the development of sustainability goals in cities and communities. It can be followed by attending at the Ateneu of Maó or on its youtube channel , this Thursday at 8 pm. Continue reading Urban Agenda for Menorca: debate at the Ateneu →

Energy and Water for New Buildings

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Recently, there has been some controversy, reported in the Menorcan press, concerning requirements for energy efficiency and water consumption in new buildings. The issue began with a memo from the College of Architects and the discussion continued at a meeting of the Mayors with the Island Council however, the information released by the press seems to be more of a complaint than a solution to the proposals. Continue reading Energy and Water for New Buildings →

The Central Electricity Power Station and Creative Headlines

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There are many ways to analyse data and news headlines. Sometimes, the data are analysed well, however, the headlines hardly do them justice. So it is with the Central Electricity Power station.

We have recently seen headlines announcing that the turbines of the Power Station have reduced their pollution by 83%, thanks to the injection of treated wastewater. Someone, who does not know the details of how the factory operates to generate energy for the island, would think that the whole of the Power Station has contributed to this air pollution reduction. This is not so. Continue reading The Central Electricity Power Station and Creative Headlines →

Wind direction multiplies pollutants in Mahon

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We have studied how the direction of the wind affects the measurements of the pollutants, and show that the winds from the north increase the concentrations of oxides of sulphur and nitrogen by 4 to 8 times. When the wind comes from the direction of the Central Electricity Power Station, these pollutants go as far as the town of Mahon. A change to the criterion of the production of electricity to that which prioritises the health of the public is urgently required. Continue reading Wind direction multiplies pollutants in Mahon →