Summary
- The Torrevieja desalination plant in Spain is undergoing expansion to increase its production capacity from 80 to 120 hectometers cubic (hm³) annually.
- Once completed, Torrevieja will be one of the largest desalination plants in the Mediterranean and among the top 10 worldwide.
- The Spanish government plans to construct two additional large desalination plants in the same region to boost water supply capacity.
- The Mediterranean is dominated by Israeli desalination plants,with Torrevieja only surpassed by Hadera and Sorek plants.
- Large desalination plants outside the Mediterranean, such as those in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, still led global rankings.
Torrevieja Desalination Plant Set to Become One of the Largest in the World
The Torrevieja desalination plant, located on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, is on track to become a global giant in water desalination. Currently producing 80 hectometers cubic (hm³) of potable water annually, the facility is undergoing a meaningful expansion that will boost its capacity to 120 hm³ per year. This will place Torrevieja among the 10 largest desalination plants worldwide, offering a crucial solution for water scarcity in the region.
Expansion and New Infrastructure Plans in the Region
In July 2024, the Confederación Hidrográfica del Segura (CHS) officially announced the tender for technical requirements to design two new desalination plants, one of which will also be in Torrevieja. This move follows previous delays and details leaks linked to political controversies within the PSOE party.
Besides the ongoing expansion in Torrevieja, the government aims to increase desalination capacity on the left bank of the Segura River by 100 hm³ and on the right bank by 50 hm³ through the upcoming plant in Águilas, Murcia. Águilas-guadalentín plant currently produces around 70 hm³ annually, with potential expansion to 80 hm³.
Position in the Mediterranean and Global Context
Torrevieja will remain the largest desalination plant in Europe and one of the biggest around the Mediterranean Sea.
| Desalination Plant | Location | Annual Capacity (hm³) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Torrevieja | Spain | 120 (projected) | Potable Water |
| Hadera | Israel | 127 - 150 | potable Water |
| Sorek | Israel | 150 | Potable Water |
| Orán & Other Algerian Plants | Algeria | ~110 | Potable Water |
While the Torrevieja plant’s capacity will surpass several Mediterranean facilities, it is only outpaced by Israel’s hadera and Sorek desalination plants. The Israeli plants are considered benchmarks in the region, producing between 127 and 150 hm³ annually.
Globally, however, even larger desalination plants exist outside the Mediterranean: Ras Al-Khair in Saudi Arabia leads with 378 hm³, followed closely by the Jebel Ali M-Station and Taweelah plants in the United Arab Emirates, with capacities of 372 hm³ and 332 hm³ respectively.
Why More Desalination Plants in a small Area?
The decision to add multiple large desalination plants in the same coastal area – specifically in the Torrevieja and Águilas regions - may seem redundant at first glance. Though, with increasing water demand fueled by population growth, agricultural needs, and climate change impacts, Spain aims to bolster its water security by diversifying and expanding its desalination infrastructure across different parts of the Segura river basin.
Key Benefits of the Torrevieja Expansion
- Improved water availability: Will address shortages especially in southeastern Spain.
- Increased supply for agriculture and urban use: Supporting vital sectors dependent on reliable water resources.
- Environmental benefits: Reduces dependence on overexploited groundwater and surface water sources.
- technological advancement: Implementation of state-of-the-art desalination techniques.
Conclusion
The upcoming expansion of the Torrevieja desalination plant and the additional new plants will substantially enhance Spain’s capacity to provide potable water from the sea. This strategic infrastructure not only reinforces local water supplies but also places Spain prominently on the world desalination map. However, despite these enterprising projects, the Mediterranean remains behind the massive plants operating in the Middle East in terms of desalination volume.
As climate change intensifies and water scarcity worsens globally, large desalination facilities such as Torrevieja’s will be key to securing lasting water supplies for millions of people living in arid and semi-arid regions.