The study, funded by the European Union, aims to strengthen the digital cohesion of the Archipelago and improve the resilience of island communications.
The public company Canalink, dependent on the Cabildo of Tenerife through the Technological Institute and Renewable Energies (ITER), has begun the work of route surveying for the future deployment of a submarine cable that will connect Tenerife and El Hierro. The initiative is part of the European project 22-ES-DIG-CANALINK-HIERRO, framed within the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program of the European Union.
The goal is clear: to improve digital connectivity between the islands, with an infrastructure that will not only allow for higher speeds and stability in communications but will also provide a strategic reinforcement in the event of possible failures or emergencies in the current telecommunications system.
Eight Days of Marine Exploration
The field study, awarded to the company GeoTeam through Elettra (the main contractor), is being carried out aboard the specialized vessel Explora. The tasks are expected to last around eight days, weather permitting.
The work focuses on analyzing the seabed between Caletillas (Tenerife) and Tamaduste (El Hierro), the planned anchoring points for the cable. Various exploration techniques are being employed:
- Multibeam bathymetry
- Geophysical profiling
- Sediment sampling
- Underwater photography and video in shallow waters
- Topographic studies on the coast
Additionally, as a demonstration of commitment to the environment, the operation includes marine mammal observers, with the aim of ensuring minimal impact on the ecosystem throughout the process.
Connectivity with La Palma Also on the Horizon
Within the same European project, the possibility of constructing an additional branch to the island of La Palma is being considered, with a planned anchoring point in Santa Cruz de La Palma. This segment, still in the study phase, would provide greater redundancy and security for telecommunications on the island, which already has a previous submarine connection. If authorized, the survey for this branch would mean an additional three days of exploration work.
A Key Infrastructure for the Digital Future of the Archipelago
According to the Councilor for Research, Development, and Innovation of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Juan José Martínez, this project represents a decisive advance: “Connecting Tenerife and El Hierro through this submarine infrastructure strengthens the digital cohesion of the Archipelago and is a fundamental step towards a more resilient and competitive future for our islands”.
In the same vein, Canalink’s CEO, Rubén Molowny, emphasized the strategic importance of the study: “This work is crucial to ensure the viability of the route and minimize risks during installation, as it provides critical information that will confirm whether the next phase of the project can proceed with all guarantees”.
Next Steps
For now, the authorities have only authorized the survey phase, and the approval for the final deployment is still pending. If the results are favorable, the cable laying could start in the second quarter of 2026, marking a new milestone in the technological modernization of the Archipelago.
This project signifies not only a technical improvement but also a commitment to territorial equity, allowing the more peripheral islands to access the same digital opportunities as the rest of the country. An invisible yet essential infrastructure that will make a difference in future connectivity.
Source: Canarylink