Es Putxet Municipal Stadium in Ibiza Town was left without lighting on Monday 9 November after the generators supplying electricity to the sports facility ran out of fuel. The incident disrupted grassroots football activities and affected the use of showers and changing facilities, prompting criticism from opposition parties over the stadium's management and its continued reliance on temporary power.

Ibiza Town Hall confirmed to La Voz de Ibiza on Tuesday that the generators had been refuelled. However, the new football and rugby facility, inaugurated on 1 March 2026, was still awaiting its permanent connection to the electricity grid more than eight months after opening.

The municipality has attributed the delay in establishing the definitive electricity supply to Endesa, while opposition groups have questioned why a major public sports facility continues to depend on generators.

Fuel Shortage Disrupts Training and Facilities

The interruption occurred on Monday when the generators supplying electricity to Es Putxet ran out of fuel, leaving the stadium without its usual lighting.

The incident affected football training sessions and the use of the showers and changing facilities.

According to complaints raised by opposition groups, some children were unable to train normally, while others had to wait at the facility for extended periods. Reports cited by the parties described waiting times of up to two hours.

The PSOE also claimed that some training activities continued despite insufficient lighting, raising concerns about the safety of children moving around the premises in darkness.

The accounts indicate that the incident affected different users in different ways, with some activities disrupted or suspended and families reporting difficulties using the facilities.

On Tuesday, the Town Hall confirmed that the fuel supply had been replenished. Its response suggested that the shortage may have been linked to a lack of advance communication about the remaining fuel levels.

The municipality indicated that the problem had been resolved by the time it responded to the newspaper.

Es Putxet Still Has No Permanent Electricity Connection

Although the stadium has been open since March, it has continued to rely on generators because its permanent electricity connection has not yet been established.

Asked about the situation, Ibiza Town Hall told La Voz de Ibiza that the definitive electricity supply had not been provided by GESA, now part of Endesa, and directed the newspaper to the electricity company for further information.

The continued reliance on generators has become a source of political criticism, particularly because the stadium was inaugurated as a major new municipal sports facility.

During the municipal plenary session on 24 September, according to VOX councillor Luis Astorri, Sports Councillor Catiana Fuster described the generators as a provisional solution and indicated that the necessary procedures with the electricity company had been completed, with the permanent connection expected shortly.

More than a month later, the stadium was still operating with temporary generators when the fuel shortage occurred.

The municipality has not provided a confirmed date for the permanent connection to become operational.

PSOE Questions Safety and Management

The PSOE municipal group has criticised the management and maintenance of the stadium, arguing that the incident exposed shortcomings in the organisation of municipal sports facilities.

The party says the lack of lighting created risks for children using the grounds, particularly those arriving for training or moving between the pitch and other areas of the complex.

Socialist councillor Pep Tur criticised the situation, arguing that children should not be expected to train under inadequate conditions at a recently opened municipal facility.

The PSOE also questioned the response provided to families affected by the interruption and raised concerns about the availability of showers and other services.

The party further pointed to the presence of Sports Councillor Catiana Fuster at the stadium on Monday, arguing that the situation should have been addressed more effectively.

These are criticisms made by the opposition and should be distinguished from the Town Hall's confirmation that the fuel had subsequently been replenished.

VOX Questions the Cost of Generator Dependence

VOX councillor Luis Astorri has focused on the fact that Es Putxet has operated without a permanent grid connection since its inauguration.

The party argues that continuing to use generators creates additional costs for the municipality and has called for a detailed breakdown of the money spent on generator rental and fuel purchases since the stadium opened.

Astorri has also questioned the electrical capacity available at the facility.

According to VOX, attempts to use all the stadium lighting simultaneously have resulted in interruptions because of insufficient available power. The councillor also said that families had informed the party that vending machines purchased for the facility could not be put into operation because of the electrical limitations.

These claims have not been independently confirmed, and the Town Hall's response to La Voz de Ibiza did not clarify the available power capacity or the situation with the vending machines.

VOX has called on Mayor Rafael Triguero and Sports Councillor Catiana Fuster to explain the steps taken to secure a permanent electricity connection and the reasons for the continued delay.

A Sports Facility Costing Nearly €4 Million

Es Putxet was officially inaugurated on 1 March 2026 in an event attended by Ibiza Mayor Rafael Triguero, Balearic Government Vice-President Antoni Costa and Consell d'Eivissa President Vicent Marí.

The project was financed through Capitality funding and was presented as the first major new municipal sports infrastructure built in Ibiza Town in more than 25 years.

The reported project investment at inauguration was €3,925,910.42.

The stadium, located on Carrer des Jondal, has an artificial-turf pitch measuring 113 by 72 metres, designed for football 11, football 7 and rugby. It includes an eight-row grandstand with capacity for 986 spectators and twelve prefabricated modules housing changing rooms, offices, a physiotherapy room, storage and public toilets.

The project also included internal supply and drainage installations, irrigation, lighting and sports equipment.

The public procurement record lists the construction contract at €3,194,000 excluding VAT, equivalent to €3,864,740 including VAT. This is the awarded contract value and should be distinguished from the investment figure reported at the inauguration.

Construction officially began in June 2025, and the stadium opened to the public on 1 March 2026.

Questions Remain Over the Permanent Connection

The fuel shortage has renewed attention on the temporary electricity arrangements at Es Putxet and the delay in connecting the stadium permanently to the grid.

The immediate shortage was addressed after the generators were refuelled, according to the Town Hall. However, this did not resolve the wider issue: the facility was still dependent on temporary power generation on 10 November.

The municipality has attributed the outstanding connection to Endesa, while opposition groups are demanding explanations about the delay, the costs of the temporary system and whether the available power is sufficient for the stadium's full operation.

No confirmed date for the permanent connection has been announced in the reporting reviewed.

For the clubs, children and families using Es Putxet, the priority is reliable lighting and access to the facilities throughout the training and competition schedule, without further interruptions caused by the temporary electricity arrangement.