The company Canalinkdependent on the Cabildo de Tenerife through the Technological and Renewable Energies Institute (Iter), has begun with route poll What will be the future Submarine cable system that would connect Tenerife with iron. The operation has been awarded to Geoteam companies through Elettra, the main contractor, and is carried out aboard the specialized ship explore.
These polls are framed within the European Project 22-ES-DIG-Canalink-Hierro, which is financed by the European Connection Program (CEF) of the European Union. The field works will last approximately eight days depending on the weather. They began on Friday, April 11 and aim to study in detail the layout between the points planned for cable mooring. In Tenerife it will be caletillas, and in El Hierro, Tamaduste.
The techniques that are being used in the polls include multihaz batimetry, geophysical profile, sediment sampling and, in certain areas, photography and video submarines made by divers. Also topographic studies carried out on the coast. In addition, the works will be attended by marine mammal observers to ensure that during operations a minimum impact on the ecosystem will be caused.
In the event that the results of the surveys are favorable, the cable is expected to begin to lay in the second quarter of 2026. The probe phase is currently authorized, and the approval of the final deployment is pending.
Within the project, the possibility of, additionally, to carry out a complementary survey to study a branch that will connect the main cable between Tenerife and El Hierro with the island of La Palma is contemplated. In this case, the mooring point planned on the island would be in Santa Cruz de la Palma.
To get ahead, this project would provide greater resilience to the digital connectivity of the palm, which already has a cable. With this additional, access to critical services would be strengthened, and its technological development would be promoted. If it is decided to move forward with the development of this branch, the poll works would be expanded three days.
Rubén Molowny, CEO of Canalinkhe pointed out that «These studies are transcendental to ensure the viability of the layout and minimize risks during installation, since they provide critical information that will confirm if you can proceed with the following phase of the project with all guarantees«.
For its part, the R&D Director of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Juan José Martínezstressed that «Connect Tenerife and Iron Through this underwater infrastructure, it reinforces the digital cohesion of the archipelago and is a fundamental step towards a more resilient and competitive future for our islands«.
