Ximo Puig, the head of the Generalitat and the PSPV candidate for the next regional elections, spoke at the Alicante Forum to outline the main projects and priorities for the forthcoming legislature, with a clear emphasis on Alicante province. He argued that eight years of groundwork deserve a qualitative leap, framing actions around three master lines: shelter, energy, and the protection of the welfare state. Innovation, infrastructure, and strong public-private partnerships would also be part of the plan.
CITY OF LIGHT
the cinema is back
X Puig highlighted the revival of Ciudad de la Luz, which has reopened after a pause and is expected to create about 5,000 jobs in the coming years. He announced that a Spanish series and an international Netflix production would begin filming there in May. He also noted ongoing work to launch another major project next summer that would relaunch the studios on a global scale.
two capitals
side table
Puig urged a practical, dual-capital model for the Valencian Community, with Alicante playing a leading role. He stressed a decentralization effort over the past eight years, described as unprecedented in four decades of self-government. Examples include the new headquarters for the Ministry of Innovation and the Water Sanitation Authority, the Post Office building in the city, the Elche district investment for the Conservation Agency, the General Directorate of Tourism in Benidorm, the IVAM satellite office in Alcoy, and the Generalitat’s Marqués de Rafal Palace in Orihuela.
Building on this foundation, Puig proposed a binary arrangement between the Generalitat and Alicante City Council to advance a genuine double capital across three areas: science, innovation, and tourism. He added that the plan would include specific goals and an annual budget to support strategic and individual projects.
PLD AREA
new center
Elche-based PLD Space, preparing to launch its first satellite booster, will receive Consell support. An agreement is expected in April among the Digital Transformation Project Community, the Elche City Council, and the company to establish a new center near the Alicante Fair Foundation. The 90,000 square meter site will host facilities with more than 500 professional positions. The project was designated strategic by the Consell, and Puig stated that the center would seed a new business pillar for the region.
SEA PARK
temporary steps
Under the welfare-focused agenda endorsed by Puig, residents of Benalúa and San Gabriel in Alicante will see a long-awaited advance: the authorization for Adif, the Railway Infrastructure Manager, to enable the temporary steps at Parque del Mar. This would allow the roads linking to the old Murcia station to be completed without delay.
LIVING SPACE
Public and social leasing
Puig pledged that the next term would be a housing legislature. The plan involves mobilizing all available public lands, financing direct construction for social leasing, and private development on public land. It also includes mechanisms to acquire homes through pre-emption, withdrawal rights, direct purchase, or emergency purchase, citing the acquisition of more than a thousand flats during the current term.
The Consell president also highlighted the renewal of modest neighborhoods to meet urgent youth needs, push energy efficiency, and influence market prices. He emphasized ongoing cooperation with the private sector and the promotion of European funds.
ENERGY
autonomy in 2030
The present regional government has set a goal of energy autonomy for 2030. If re-elected, Puig envisions a comprehensive Valencia energy deal that includes political actors, all governments, and private players in the sector. He suggested mapping zones suitable for renewable energy installations to create a streamlined, fast-track authorization process approved by all agencies.
Additionally, he urged incentives to ensure clean energy benefits reach citizens directly. His proposal includes a fund financed by renewable producers so municipalities that generate more electricity than they consume receive a meaningful reduction in bills. This would be a tangible reward for local communities.
The third pillar is an ambitious plan to install charging points for electric vehicles and to encourage the purchase of such cars. The objective is to shift from energy import dependence to becoming an energy exporter powered by solar and wind resources.
WELFARE STATE
Health, education and the elderly
Puig outlined a commitment to strengthening the welfare state. In health, the ongoing Primary Care investments exceed 400 million euros, with the launch of a new Valencia Health Service aimed at improving efficiency, mental health services, and health system architecture.
In education, the emphasis would be on expanding vocational education to give companies more skilled workers in mobility, energy, and water sectors, increasing student numbers from 119,000 to 150,000. He also described social empowerment actions targeting aging with agreements to reduce loneliness, expand public social and health services, and redefine the role of the elderly to ensure an active, engaged presence across communities.
These plans would rely on collaboration with the private sector and continued support from European funds to sustain growth and welfare across the Valencian Community.