Zapata: “We are presenting a €142.3 million budget and demanding that the State unblock €230 million in European funds”

The Canary Islands Government’s Department of Ecological Transition and Energy will have a budget of €142.43 million in 2027. Following the end of the extraordinary funding framework under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF)—which provided more than €311 million in 2026—the department’s accounts are entering a period of continuity for ordinary policies, with a 0.36% increase in its regional funding base not linked to the RRF.

In a year in which the regional government has concentrated new resources on strengthening essential public services (health, education, housing and social services), the department will focus on ensuring security of supply and the energy transition, increasing biodiversity protection and strengthening fire prevention.

The regional minister responsible for the portfolio, Mariano H. Zapata, said: “This budget reflects a phase of consolidation and responsibility in which we are protecting our ordinary budget base and stepping up efforts in areas that are key to the public.” Zapata also stressed that “the ecological transition will not stop because extraordinary European funding has ended; our commitment is to ensure that self-consumption increases, that energy savings directly benefit households in the Canary Islands, and that we continue to protect the Archipelago’s natural heritage through action and planning”.

Energy development, renewables and support for families as priorities

The energy portfolio is the department’s largest budget item, at €61.26 million, up 5.41% on the previous year’s ordinary budget. Its main aims will be to promote savings, efficiency and the development of renewable energy, as well as to draw up the Canary Islands Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PIECan).

Within this allocation, capital transfers to families and third-sector organisations for self-consumption and energy efficiency are set to rise sharply, increasing by €4.65 million from €2.11 million to €6.77 million. The department has also earmarked €1 million to support the energy needs of the desalination plants in San Sebastián de La Gomera and Alajeró, securing critical water infrastructure for the island.

“This is unprecedented financial support to help families in the Canary Islands take part in the energy transition, reducing their electricity bills as we move towards a clean and resilient model,” Mariano H. Zapata said.

Biodiversity protection and fire prevention

The Biodiversity programme will see one of the largest relative increases in ordinary funding, with an allocation of €11.68 million, 16.58% more than in 2026. The funding will go directly towards monitoring habitats and protecting threatened species through tools such as BIOCAN, as well as controlling invasive alien species, with specific projects including the control of the California kingsnake.

For forestry and emergency prevention, €10.3 million has been earmarked specifically for forest fire prevention and response: €3.4 million for La Gomera, €3.4 million for El Hierro and €3.5 million for La Palma. This work will be coordinated with the implementation of the Canary Islands Forest Plan.

The National Parks programme will maintain stable funding, with €13.17 million for the management, conservation and improvement of emblematic sites in the Canarian network. Allocations include €3.89 million for Garajonay, €1.94 million for La Caldera de Taburiente and €1.17 million for Timanfaya.

Environmental infrastructure, waste and climate action

The Directorate-General for Environmental Quality will have €18.29 million in 2027. Its main strategic investment will continue to be the modernisation and improvement of the Zurita environmental complex (Fuerteventura), with €8.80 million allocated to its composting and sorting plants. A further €2.5 million in European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding will be transferred to the island councils for circular economy projects, and work will be advanced on drafting the new Canary Islands Comprehensive Waste Plan (PIRCAN).

The Deputy Ministry for the Fight Against Climate Change will retain an allocation of €13.40 million. The budget will strengthen cooperation with local authorities through the Covenant of Mayors, support progress on establishing the network of climate shelters, and fund the operational rollout of the Canary Islands Office for Climate Action.

Demand for effective delivery and call for outstanding funds

Concluding his remarks, Mariano H. Zapata stressed the strong demand for effective delivery in the coming budget year: “The end of RRF funding marks the close of an era of extraordinary financing. This requires us to raise administrative efficiency to the highest level so that every euro allocated is spent for the benefit of the islands.”

At the same time, the regional government continues to press the Spanish Government to unblock the €230 million in funds, so that this funding can be incorporated into the budget as soon as it is released, enabling progress to be made and the transition to be developed.