The Stream, April 28: Island Is First in World Fully Powered by Wind & Water

Infrastructure
A small island in Spain’s Canary Islands chain plans to become the first in the world to be completely powered by wind energy and hydropower, Phys.org reported. By this summer, the island will power its cars, households, businesses and desalination plant by using wind turbines and a hydroelectric system to store excess wind power.

A large, $US 300 million agricultural commune planned by former Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez to cut food imports is now languishing because of a lack of water, Bloomberg News reported. Many such infrastructure projects have been put on hold following Chavez’s death.

Drought
California’s governor, Jerry Brown, has issued a second drought emergency proclamation, Reuters reported. The state is entering its dry season, and the governor’s proclamation will make it easier for farmers and cities to get water, while asking residents to step up conservation efforts.

Officials in Malaysia’s Selangor state are debating whether to stop water rationing, and will issue their decision on Wednesday, The Star reported. Water rationing has been occurring in the state since March due to a drought, but the government is saying that it may now be able to reduce the severity of the rationing.

Codi Kozacek

A news correspondent for Circle of Blue based out of Hawaii. She writes The Stream, Circle of Blue’s daily digest of international water news trends. Her interests include food security, ecology and the Great Lakes.
Contact Codi Kozacek