In the midst of a prolonged drought, Barcelona is facing the worst water shortage in history. To combat this crisis, a floating desalination plant with a capacity of 40,000 m3 of water/day will be installed in the Port of Barcelona. This innovative solution is seen as more economical and environmentally sustainable than water transportation.
Previously, Barcelona relied on the Llobregat desalination plant, the largest in Europe, to meet its water needs. However, the current level of water supply is insufficient for the current situation. As a result, the government has decided to deploy a floating desalination plant in the port of Barcelona, which will become operational in the event of a stage 2 emergency drought in the Catalonia region.
The floating desalination plant will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and will produce approximately 6% of the water consumption for the Barcelona metropolitan area, which amounts to about 14 million m3 of water per year. The water produced will be stored in reservoirs before being distributed to consumers. Additionally, mobile desalination plants will be installed in the northern Costa Brava region to meet 35% of the water supply needs there.
The floating desalination plant offers numerous advantages over traditional water transportation methods. It has no anchoring costs, does not disrupt maritime traffic, and is able to produce more water at a lower cost. This new solution comes at a crucial time, as Barcelona and other regions in Europe are experiencing extreme heat and drought conditions.
With the installation of the floating desalination plant and other water resource projects, Barcelona is taking proactive steps to address the water crisis and ensure a sustainable water supply for its residents. The government’s commitment to investing in innovative solutions demonstrates a dedication to environmental sustainability and long-term planning for the region’s water needs.