Summary
- The Segura Hydrographic Confederation (CHS) has initiated the tender process for design projects of two desalination plants with a combined capacity of 150 hm³ per year.
- One plant focuses on the right bank of the Tajo-Segura post-transfer canal, the other on the left bank, intending to boost irrigation water security.
- The Torrevieja desalination plant expansion includes possible connections with the Pedrera reservoir and currently operates as Europe’s largest desalination facility.
- Local opposition in Torrevieja voices concerns about environmental impact, urban complications, and lack of prior consultation from the government.
- New water management plans seek to offset reductions in Tajo-Segura transfer volumes, aiming for sustainability amid agricultural sector tensions.
New Desalination Plants to Secure Water Supply in Southeastern Spain
In a meaningful move to bolster water availability for irrigation in southeastern Spain, the Segura Hydrographic Confederation (CHS) has launched a public tender for the drafting of preliminary projects to build two new desalination plants. These facilities are expected to collectively provide 150 hectometers cubed (hm³) of desalinated water annually, enhancing water security for the region’s agricultural users, primarily served by the post-transfer Tajo-Segura canal system.
Details of the Tender and Project Scope
The tender is divided into two lots with a combined budget of nearly €1.84 million:
- Lot 1: Preliminary project for the desalination plant on the right bank canal of the post-transfer system – Budget: €876,083.
- Lot 2: preliminary project for the desalination plant on the left bank canal – Budget: €960,662.
Both desalination plants will feature seawater intake and brine discharge systems, and importantly, photovoltaic plants to power their operations sustainably. Additionally, infrastructure such as pumping stations, conduits, electrical evacuation lines, and intermediate reservoirs will be integrated to ensure optimal operation and water delivery.
Focus on torrevieja: Expansion and Challenges
The desalination plant in Torrevieja represents a critical piece of this initiative. Currently the largest desalination plant in Europe,it produces about 80 hm³ of water per year and is under expansion to increase capacity to 120 hm³ annually.
| Facility | Current Capacity (hm³/year) | Planned Capacity (hm³/year) |
|---|---|---|
| torrevieja desalination Plant | 80 | 120 |
| Proposed New Plant (Torrevieja area) | – | 100 |
The new plant will connect with the Pedrera reservoir and potentially link with the existing Torrevieja desalination facility to increase water transport adaptability. Though,siting the new plant poses a challenge due to limited available land,especially given Torrevieja’s dense coastal urbanization and agricultural land constraints.
Local Opposition and Environmental Concerns
Torrevieja’s mayor, Eduardo Dolón, has publicly opposed the plan without prior consultation with the local government. His concerns highlight:
- environmental impact: Large land occupation and extensive infrastructure installations are expected to affect the local area profoundly.
- urban complications: Existing shortages of suitable land near the coast due to tourism advancement and the proximity of sensitive zones like the natural park and hospital.
- Pending compensatory projects: Some mitigation efforts from the previous desalination plant, such as pedestrian paths and neighborhood restoration plans, remain incomplete.
- Political interaction issues: The mayor criticizes the lack of coordination and transparency from the central government.
Water Transfer Reductions Drive the Need for Desalination
The push for new desalination infrastructure comes amid tensions arising from the planned cuts to the Tajo-Segura water transfer set by the Water Basin Plan approved in January 2023. the plan anticipates a gradual reduction of irrigation water, potentially cutting supplies by up to 50% by 2027. Historically, the Segura basin received around 320 hm³ of transferred water annually, with 200 hm³ allocated to irrigation. New regulations foresee this dropping to 193 hm³ total,with irrigation allocations halving to 100 hm³.
This reduction has caused widespread unrest in the agricultural sectors of Alicante, Murcia, and Almería. To counterbalance these shortages, the Water Basin Plan includes several measures:
- Expansion and interconnection of existing desalination facilities such as Torrevieja.
- development of photovoltaic plants to reduce desalination energy costs (currently around €1 per cubic meter).
- Infrastructure projects aimed at improving water delivery and efficiency in irrigation zones.
looking Ahead
While the current tendering and project planning signal progress, delays have meant that these measures have not been fully launched ahead of the pressing water shortages. The next steps will require close coordination between government agencies, local stakeholders, and environmental bodies to ensure sustainable and accepted water management solutions for southeastern Spain.
For now, the desalination plant expansion remains a key priority to secure water for agriculture while balancing environmental and urban planning concerns.
Sources:
- Informacion.es – Government issues tender for second torrevieja desalination plant