"Cabrera proves energy self-sufficiency is possible"

When and why did you decide to switch to a comprehensive sustainability model in Cabrera?

When I took over as Director in 2017, we saw two things that urgently needed addressing: outdated infrastructure and total dependence on diesel, which didn’t suit a National Park. We’re prioritising water (piping, reservoirs and saving habits), resizing solar photovoltaics with sufficient storage and rethinking internal mobility to reduce vehicles and noise. It wasn’t simply a matter of ‘upgrading equipment’, but of changing the way the park operates from top to bottom.

What role has solar photovoltaic energy played in this transition, and what specific changes have you made?

Solar photovoltaics are at the heart of the system. We’ve installed solar farms with modern inverters and battery banks capable of covering our essential energy needs. The back-up generators are switched on alternately one hour a week to keep them functioning, rather than to produce power. This system allows us to work solely with renewable energy and to keep the quality of supply stable during the sunniest months.

To what extent is Cabrera now energy self-sufficient, and how do you manage during the months with less sunshine?

In spring and summer, we achieve almost total renewable self-sufficiency. In autumn and winter, when there are fewer hours of daylight and more cloudy days, we may occasionally need generator support, especially at night when the batteries have less useable capacity. Even so, the yearly assessment has clearly tilted towards renewables, with a major reduction in diesel consumption and emissions.

Water is the most vulnerable resource on small islands. What have you done so far and what’s left to be done?

First of all, we’ve been addressing losses and improvements to efficiency: renovation of critical sections, segmentation to detect leaks, and consumption control. Meanwhile, we’ve also been working on debugging and closing the loop better, adjusting sizing so as not to over-regulate a delicate system. The key is to reduce demand rather than install high-impact solutions: every litre saved avoids transporting, storing or purifying more than we need.

How has internal mobility changed with the introduction of electric bikes and other equipment?

A great deal. For short distances we use electric bikes with good suspension, which are suitable for Cabrera’s terrain and the heat. They’re used by educators, guides, maintenance staff and environmental agents. We’ve reduced vehicle travel, noise and dust, and improved day-to-day response times. For freight and long journeys we still use other means of transport, but the bulk of everyday mobility is now zero-emission.

You now have an electric boat for surveillance. What does this bring to a marine and terrestrial park?

It ensures consistency and efficiency. We patrol the bay and monitor moorings with an electric RIB charged with our own solar energy. It reduces emissions and noise, which are critical factors for wildlife and the visitor experience. It also streamlines fuel logistics and reduces risks associated with hydrocarbon handling.

Cabrera is said to be a ‘live testing ground’. What does this mean in practice?

It means testing, measuring and adapting solutions under real conditions: off-grid solar microgrids, water conservation protocols, soft mobility and electrical monitoring. We document results and share them with other islands and municipalities so they can replicate, or even improve, what works. Learning is continuous and just as important to the project as investing in equipment.

How do you reconcile strict conservation, public use and environmental education without compromising any one of these things?

If the park leads by example, visitors understand the model. Reducing noise, providing a system of routes, shade and clear signage, together with offering quality interpretive activities, reduces strain on the park and improves compliance. We ask for responsible behaviour, but we also make it easier for this to happen: providing information in advance, well designed services and an experience that highlights why we care for what we care for.

What role has sustainable tourism tax funding played and why is it important to maintain it?

It’s been the catalyst that’s turned strategy into reality: solar photovoltaics with batteries, electric mobility on land and sea, and basic infrastructure improvements. It’s a tangible return from tourism activity to the ecosystems that sustain it. Keeping on this path allows us to reinforce what’s already been achieved, cover maintenance and focus on new areas—especially regarding water and climate change adaptation—without going back to fossil fuels.

To those who doubt Cabrera's ‘replicability’, what would you say to them and what’s the next step?

I’d say that small scale is an advantage: it allows for prototyping with less risk and demonstrates viability. Saving water, electrifying everyday mobility, operating with renewables and limiting diesel are all transferable decisions that can be adapted locally. Our next step is to extend our period of self-sufficiency, better close the water cycle and further reduce our operational footprint. The idea is simple: better conservation by working better.