Santa Cruz is continuing to invest in greener public facilities, with four municipal football grounds set to benefit from new solar-powered infrastructure.
The City Council has approved a €1.27 million project that will install photovoltaic systems and shaded seating areas at the football grounds in El Draguillo, El Sobradillo, El Tablero and Santa María del Mar.
It’s one of those improvements that should benefit both the environment and the hundreds of players, families and supporters who use these facilities every week.
Shade and clean energy
The project will see new covered structures built at each ground, providing welcome protection from both the Tenerife sun and the occasional rainy day.
The roofs will also be fitted with solar panels, allowing each facility to generate its own electricity for everyday use.
As well as reducing energy bills, the move forms part of Santa Cruz’s wider plan to improve sustainability across its public buildings.
Investing in local sports facilities
The investment is aimed at improving the quality of sports facilities across several neighbourhoods rather than building new venues.
For local football clubs, youth teams and supporters, the addition of shaded areas should make a noticeable difference, particularly during the warmer months when sitting in the sun for an entire match isn’t everyone’s idea of fun.
It’s another example of how smaller improvements can make community facilities much more comfortable to use.
Part of a wider sustainability strategy
The project may also receive support through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of Spain’s 2021–2027 EDIL Plan, helping to fund improvements that focus on energy efficiency and sustainable infrastructure.
With Tenerife enjoying sunshine for much of the year, investing in solar energy is a fairly sensible move, and projects like this allow public facilities to make better use of one of the island’s greatest natural resources.