Impact of African Dust Events on Wind Energy in the Canary Islands: A Review on Key Challenges
J. López-Solano, K. Mahtani, S. Alonso-Pérez, and B. González-Díaz Departamento de Ingeniería Industrial, Escuela Superior de Ingeniería y Tecnología,Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain. 2026-06-27

Abstract

Wind energy is by far the largest renewable energy source in the Canary Islands, accounting for 73.7% of the renewable energy production. Although renewable sources in the archipelago account for only 21% of the total generated electricity, this percentage is expected to sharply increase over the next 20 years as part of the push for energy sovereignty and sustainability. It is thus critical to identify the main challenges faced by renewable energy sources. In this regard, the African dust events affecting the Canary Islands pose a local and specific problem to wind energy production. In this work, we identify and review four challenges caused by airborne dust on wind turbines – blade surface deterioration by dust erosion and accumulation, dust accumulation in the nacelle, increase of temperature, and modification of the aerodynamic properties of the air-dust flow. In the light of previous studies, we briefly discuss the causes and solutions to these issues, highlighting the complexity and local character of the problem, which requires further specific studies to be carried out in the Canary Islands.

Key words: Wind energy, African dust, Canary Islands, renewable energies, air quality

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