The Minister of Finance, Arcadi Spain, reiterated this Wednesday the Generalitat’s opposition to the government’s decision to revoke the drought decree. The move implies a steep rise in the price of desalinated water for users, increasing from 0.45 euros to 1.45 euros per cubic meter and delivering a real setback to Alicante’s agricultural sector.
The Treasury chief stressed that the Generalitat disagrees with the price increase and reminded that Consell chairman Ximo Puig had already shown support for the irrigators and called for actions to reverse the situation, including the halt to the Tajo-Segura Transfer as outlined in the draft hydrological plan initiated by the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
Spain argued that the Generalitat seeks practical solutions that lead to agreements. The Generalitat does not want a confrontation over water; it wants irrigators to receive the water they need. The regional administration emphasized a determined, common effort with the irrigators, but in a context that avoids any notion of water wars—negotiation, not conflict, is what brings water.
Water tension in the shadow of the Tajo-Segura
Spain made the remark when asked whether the Valencia Institute of Finance could take steps to ease water costs for irrigation users or assist with the price increase. He stated that IVF would support the agricultural sector, like other parts of the Valencian economy, but the decision on desalinated water pricing remains a government prerogative. The goal, he said, is for the price to be adjusted to meet irrigation needs, with Spain hoping for a timely resolution.
Confrontation
The renewed clash between Alicante’s irrigators and the central government centers on the Ministry of Ecological Transition, which canceled the drought decree and significantly lowered desalinated water prices. Manufacturers have argued that the usual production costs render crop profitability untenable at prior pricing. While the ministry has insisted it is negotiating with irrigators to set a subsidized price, the irrigators dispute these negotiations and demand concrete terms.
Government action and ongoing negotiations
Ximo Puig asked for a meeting with the State Council to review the final version of the new Tajo-Segura hydrological plan, following the Generalitat’s approval at the National Water Council to ensure its long-term maintenance. The aim is to secure stable arrangements that can support agriculture while addressing broader water management concerns.