0:00:18 > 0:00:24Europeans once believed that this was the end of the world.
0:00:24 > 0:00:30El Hierro is the smallest, remotest part of the Canary Islands,
0:00:30 > 0:00:33one that tourists tend to miss.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37It never stops blowing on El Hierro.
0:00:37 > 0:00:42This iconic wild juniper tree has been battered for years...
0:00:43 > 0:00:47..which explains the unusual shape.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52But for the islanders, the wind has become a valuable resource.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58- TRANSLATION:- The island of El Hierro, the remotest,
0:00:58 > 0:01:01the most neglected of the Canary Islands, has been
0:01:01 > 0:01:05fighting for more than 30 years to become energy self-sufficient.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08And we had a dream of converting the wind into electricity,
0:01:08 > 0:01:12to improve the quality of life for the people.
0:01:12 > 0:01:17Wind energy isn't new, but the genius of this island's system
0:01:17 > 0:01:21is that they have combined wind and water.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26- TRANSLATION:- When we have enough wind in the wind farm,
0:01:26 > 0:01:30we produce electricity and distribute it through the grid.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34We use what's left to pump water from a lower reservoir
0:01:34 > 0:01:35to a higher one.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38When it stops blowing, we let that water fall
0:01:38 > 0:01:41through a set of hydraulic turbines
0:01:41 > 0:01:45and we generate electricity again for the population.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49El Hierro will soon be powered completely through this set-up,
0:01:49 > 0:01:52making it the world's greenest island.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Whilst the wind is powering turbines down in the valley,
0:01:59 > 0:02:03up above the clouds, it's propelling thrill-seekers through the skies.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26- TRANSLATION: - It's the feeling of freedom,
0:02:26 > 0:02:28to be able to take off from these surroundings
0:02:28 > 0:02:30with a sea of clouds at your feet.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34Go through them and pass by the 1,500-metre-high cliffs.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38And all of this all year round, in a place of incomparable beauty.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44Welcome on El Hierro!
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Despite the abundance of wind on the island,
0:03:01 > 0:03:04fresh water is more difficult to come by.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08There are no rivers or natural lakes on El Hierro.
0:03:09 > 0:03:15So the islanders were forced to look elsewhere, deep underground.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20More than half of this island's water comes from wells like this,
0:03:20 > 0:03:24rainwater seeping through the volcanic rock.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27The rest is from three desalination plants.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31Of course, this water is more natural and people say it tastes better.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36The islanders often queue to fill their bottles
0:03:36 > 0:03:38straight from the wells.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Wherever you are, the terrain grabs your attention.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Look up, and the view can be just as absorbing.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55Their unique system for powering an island may be too costly for some,
0:03:55 > 0:03:57impractical for others,
0:03:57 > 0:04:01but El Hierro could become an example to the world -
0:04:01 > 0:04:05a self-sufficient island on the road to a cleaner,
0:04:05 > 0:04:06more sustainable future.