The expansion works for the Vingalis irrigation system, in Ribera d'Ebre, a project pending for sixteen years, have now brought 90.6 hectares (ha) of land under irrigation across the municipalities of Flix (1.87 ha), Vinebre (63.30 ha), and la Torre de l'Espanyol (25.40 ha). Initially, 124.4 ha were planned for incorporation.
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food, Òscar Ordeig, advocated for the necessity of "recovering and modernizing" irrigation systems as a strategic commitment to ensure the future of the agricultural sector and strengthen the territory's capacity to face climate change. The execution budget for the works amounts to 1,099,914 euros, with an additional 19,559 euros covered by the Irrigation Community. The Department of Agriculture will finance 85% of the investment, while the remaining 15%, along with a 95% cost subsidy, will come from the Nuclear Transition Funds.
The Vingalis Irrigation Community has also received 41,000 euros in grants to modernize its facilities, including the replacement of copper busbars, rewiring, improvement of the remote control system, and installation of a repeater. These actions are part of the 2025-2040 Irrigation Strategy, which plans an investment of 3.09 billion euros to modernize and expand irrigation systems in Catalonia.
The project, drafted in 2010, had been stalled for sixteen years. Minister Ordeig emphasized the importance of updating these investments, especially given the context of fires and climate, stating that irrigation is "more necessary than ever" and that farmers are "the best firebreak".
Concurrently, the minister visited the solar park that has become operational in Benissanet, serving the local Irrigation Community and supplying 352 hectares. The installation, featuring 900 photovoltaic modules, has an estimated annual production of 1,017 MWh and a total investment of 1,217,000 euros, which will significantly reduce the electricity bill.
The Department will finance 70% of the Benissanet project, with 95% of the community's contribution covered by the Nuclear Transition Funds. Furthermore, the Irrigation Community has received grants totaling 600,000 euros for new intakes, valve improvements, access road repairs, installation of check valves, meter renewals, and electrical supply enhancements, as well as for a filtering station and chlorination system renovation.
