Climate and energy transition

The EU's Cohesion Policy has provided 75% of the total funding for a new desalination plant for the city of Barcelona (Spain).

 

This infrastructure project was officially inaugurated by the Catalan Government on 20 July 2009. The total cost of the plant amounted to almost €200 M with the Cohesion Fund covering €150 M.

 

Situated in the zone of El Prat de Llobregat, the opening of the new plant is of particular significance given that it will ensure a stable water supply for Barcelona. In the severe drought of last year, authorities in Barcelona were forced to import drinking water by tanker.

 

The new plant is a key part of the strategy to avoid such problems in the future. It will also add 60 hm3 (around 20% of the metropolitan water consumption) to the network which brings water to 125 municipalities of the metropolitan area.