If you've ever seen the film 'E.T.' (and who hasn't), you'll know that Planet Earth needs a way to communicate with whatever alien life form exists out there in the universe. Such a device would require huge processing power - certainly more than the Speak and Spell featured in the film.
I do believe myself that there is an alternative life form out there somewhere, but that it probably doesn't come in the form of E.T., or the UFO that kidnapped Fallon Carrington-Colby in the hilarious ending to 80's US TV show, Dynasty.
The moment Fallon is kidnapped by aliens in the long running US television drama, Dynasty
The thing about all of this nonsensical rubbish, as entertaining as it is, is that it makes us all wonder "what on Earth is that?" whenever we see something like the abandoned satellite dish of Granadilla, or to give its full name "Laboratorio Promocional de Energía Termoeléctrica Solar y Almacenamiento de Energía", on the southern tip of Tenerife.
Did the Canarian's in fact figure out a way of communicating with long since kidnapped TV stars, such as Pamela Sue Martin, of Dynasty fame? If so, what did they ask her? "How is life on Mars?" or "How is the journey between here and there?". "Did you re-marry, Fallon?". Well, possibly they did get to ask these questions. The truth is somewhat less impressive, although equally ambitious, to some.
It was back in the 70's and 80's, when Tenerife, and the whole of the Canary Islands was on the up and developing fast, that engineers decided to harness solar power. After all, Tenerife gets some lengthy sunny days the year round, particularly in the south.
But it wasn't until 2008 that they started to build this giant satellite dish. It wasn't to communicate with aliens, or in fact anyone, however. The bowl shaped dish was designed to hold plate glass as part of a giant thermoelectric solar power plant.
From the start, it was problematic.
The plant was built on protected land without the necessary permits in place prior to commencement of construction. A common problem at the time.
It met with fierce opposition from neighbouring farmers as being unsightly (little did they know what would happen..if it was unsightly then, look at it now).
What once promised cheap energy, now lays, dormant, the dry but salty air causing the structure to sit decaying, angers locals and authorities alike.
So how did it get from promised genius, to rusting eyesore?
Back in 2008, the company behind the project, Panama based Lysply, commenced work on the dish on protected land and near to local homes. It also didn't have a permit for the construction (not uncommon at the time across the Canaries). There were also sizeable quantities of methanol being stored at the site - again, without a permit.
Work was stopped after public pressure.
Lysply tried again three times to restart works but eventually yielded to the public and work stopped permanently.
Today, the site is abandoned and there are no plans to clean up the mess left behind.
Conclusion
This fascinating but worthless pile of junk isn't going anywhere soon, so you should go see it, but don't worry about getting on the next plane out. Anyone who has experience of Spanish law will know that liability will still be being debated for decades to come. Various rumours have been circulating for years that "a way forward" has been found. The reality is far from that however.
The truth is that I could have told you that E.T. or indeed, Fallon, were contacted by this once-favoured way of making cheap energy for the people of the Canary Islands. Self sufficiency is something that well intentioned Canarians are very keen on. But if you were going to build an extra terrestrial iPhone anywhere on Earth, it wouldn't be in the Canary Islands. Our little alien friends would never be able to navigate the planning laws!
Directions:
The Laboratorio de Energia Solar is relatively easy to find, albeit you have to drive or walk over fairly uneven and unpaved tracks (it is driveable, that's what I did when I visited).
From the main TF-1, you'll come to a Repsol petrol station which is just a few miles up from the Tenerife South (TFS) airport. At this petrol station, take the dirt track to the right. It's tarmac for only about half a mile. As you drive down the track you'll come across a few farms/plantations. Keep going until you see the satellite dish itself. You can park fairly close to the dish but be careful of any fallen debris from the dish - you really don't want a puncture down here!
There are no facilities at the Laboratorio de Energia Solar, but the petrol station on the TF-1 has toilets, cafe and sandwiches.
Whilst you're in the area: check out the abandoned leper colony Sanatorio de Abades. It's fairly close by and well worth seeing
Recommended visit time: 30-60 minutes
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