Acciona Green Energy Secures Key Contract for Desalination Plants in Spain

Introduction

Acciona Green Energy, a subsidiary of the multinational company Acciona, has successfully obtained a significant contract for the supply of electricity to support the desalination plants in Torrevieja and Mutxamel in 2025. This contract not only covers energy for the desalination operations but also includes the essential energy required for the water transfer systems, ensuring a reliable water supply amidst ongoing drought conditions in the region.

Details of the Contract

The contract is managed by the state-owned company Aguas de las Cuencas Mediterráneas (Acuamed), which operates under the Ministry for Ecological Transition. Key aspects include:

• Energy Supply for Desalination: The agreement provides electricity to facilitate the operation of desalination plants servicing regions in need.
• Infrastructure Support: It ensures energy for the water transfer from Mutxamel to the Amadorio reservoir in Vila Joiosa.
• Wide Regional Impact: This contract supports not only the local infrastructures but also those in Málaga, Murcia, Almería, Tarragona, and Castellón.

Financial Overview

The financial details of the contract are noteworthy:

• The bidding amount was set at €156 million, inclusive of taxes.
• Acciona’s bid featured a reduction of 8-10% on the initial cost, showcasing competitive pricing.

| Infrastructure | Estimated Annual Consumption (kWh) | Annual Cost (Estimated) |
|—————————–|—————————————-|——————————-|
| Torrevieja Desalination | 296,000 | €34,114,948 |
| Total Desalination Network | 1.2 TWh | – |
| Mutxamel Desalination | – | €4.5 million |

Impact on Local Agriculture

The access to desalted water has dramatically transformed agricultural practices in the region:

• Farmers pay €0.40 per cubic meter for desalted water, while actual production costs near €1.00 due to high energy demands.
• The state compensates for the difference under an agreement with farmers, ensuring sustainability in agricultural water supply.

Future Expectations and Sustainability

With plans to expand the Torrevieja plant’s production capacity from 80 to 120 hectometers annually, future water resources appear promising. Furthermore, upcoming changes in ecological flow regulations may affect water transfers but aim to provide sustainably manageable costs for agricultural enterprises.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Acciona Green Energy and the Spanish government demonstrates a commitment to addressing pressing water and energy challenges in arid regions. As the issues of water scarcity become more pronounced, investments in desalination technologies and infrastructure become essential for both public and agricultural interests.

For more details, you can read the full article at Información.