The Generalitat presented its 2025-2040 Irrigation Investment Strategy in Lleida this Friday. This plan foresees an investment of 3.09 billion euros to cover 181,000 hectares, with nearly half located in the province of Lleida. The Ministers of Agriculture, Òscar Ordeig, and Presidency, Albert Dalmau, detailed the document, emphasizing the modernization of irrigation systems as a tool for territorial rebalancing and the competitiveness of the agri-food sector.
The strategy, developed by the Directorate General of Irrigation and Agricultural Spaces with the collaboration of Infraestructures.cat, continues the 2008-2020 Irrigation Plan but introduces significant novelties. Minister Ordeig highlighted that the Government "delivers, does its homework, accelerates historical projects and pending works" and faces future challenges with an ambitious strategy that incorporates the demands of irrigators. The unblocking of actions such as the boost to the Segarra-Garrigues system and the l'Albagés dam, as well as the Tremp Basin irrigation, was underlined.
According to the head of Agriculture, actions in this area demonstrate that irrigation infrastructure is a tool for economic and social development, as well as territorial rebalancing. The plan addresses the sector's needs, fulfilling historical demands from irrigators to ensure generational continuity and the sustainability of the Catalan agri-food model.
One of the main differences from the previous planning is that all new projects will operate with renewable energy. Developments will include photovoltaic installations to reduce energy costs and move towards a more sustainable model. The digitalization of irrigation systems is another key aspect, incorporating technologies to monitor and manage irrigation based on real-time data, optimizing water use.
The new strategy also promotes the incorporation of non-conventional water resources, such as reclaimed water, to increase resilience against climate change and supply new irrigation communities with support irrigation. Furthermore, three new wine-growing areas are included in the plan: Penedès, Conca de Barberà, and Priorat, which require specific support irrigation solutions.
The investment effort for 2025 will be 167.7% higher than the annual average for the 2013-2023 period. The budget for 2024 amounts to 103.85 million euros, and for 2025 it reaches 143.22 million, a 37.9% increase in one year. This budgetary commitment reinforces water management and the competitiveness of the agricultural sector as strategic priorities.
The first phase of the strategy (until 2032) focuses on modernizing and expanding existing irrigation systems, including actions in the Canals d'Urgell, the Segarra-Garrigues, and the continuation of the Xerta-Sénia. The second phase (2033-2040) includes the Integral Management Plan for the Ebro Delta and new irrigation projects in the Conca de Barberà.
The territorial distribution foresees an investment of over 120 million euros in Alt Pirineu i Aran to benefit 5,000 hectares. In the Lleida area (Segrià, Noguera, Urgell, Pla d'Urgell, Segarra, and Garrigues), the projected investment is nearly 1.44 billion euros for 115,000 hectares, aiming to modernize pressurized irrigation and implement remote management.
