The governments of Catalonia and Spain seek urgent solutions to the drought
Catalonia is experiencing a water emergency situation that requires extraordinary measures. For this reason, the Catalan and Spanish governments have intensified conversations to agree on more forceful actions to mitigate the lack of water. One of the options being considered is shipping water from Valencia to Barcelona. The Port has already announced that it is preparing its facilities in case it has to accommodate ships and the two governments have agreed on the method and how to finance it: the State will be responsible for the production cost and Catalonia will be responsible for maritime transport. The Spanish government’s proposal is to take advantage of part of the water from the Sagunto desalination plant. News that some sectors of the Valencian Country have not liked.
Banner against the transfer of water to Catalonia at the Sagunto desalination plant
An example of this unrest is the banner that has appeared these days in front of the Sagunto desalination plant: “No to water for Catalonia,” it reads. Despite the institutional position of the president of the Generalitat Valenciana, Carlos Mazón, who has shown his willingness to “solidarity between communities” and the clarifications of the Minister of Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, who assures that the decision will not affect the Valencian demand, the possible transfer continues to generate controversy.
The ships could arrive in June
The central government affirms that the water transfer will come from the part of the Sagunto desalination plant destined for the future battery factory that will be located in the area. Therefore, in no case will it come out of the water that currently reaches the Valencian people, according to the explanations given by Minister Teresa Ribera after meeting with the Climate Action counselor, David Mascort. The measure could become effective from the month of June and, according to Ribera and Mascort, it will allow one water boat to be transported a day loaded with 20,000 cubic meters of water. The transfer of water to Catalonia is not the only agreement that the two governments have reached, which will promote the construction of the Foix desalination plant and the expansion of the Tordera plant in 2028 and 2029. All of this, financed with European funds.