Spain’s regional leadership unveiled a substantial strategic push aimed at reducing flood risk across Vega Baja, backed by a 343 million euro allocation from the central government. The plan, titled Vega Renhace, blends immediate improvements to water treatment infrastructure with medium-term investments designed to shield communities and support local industry. In the near term, upgrades to treatment facilities and the expansion of Vega Baja Hospital, with a projected execution budget of 70 million euros, are slated to proceed to tender later this month. This package forms a core component of a broader effort to bolster resilience in the region in the wake of past flooding events and to modernize essential services for residents and businesses alike.
Puig spoke at today’s futur forum in Orihuela alongside the leading municipal figure, Caroline Graceand, to align on visions and practical recommendations for the region’s diverse socioeconomic actors. The dialogue underscored Vega Baja’s momentum for growth and renewal, building on lessons learned from the 2021 floods. In this framework, the regional government outlined an 11-action package funded by 343 million euros under the Flood Risk Management Plan for 2022-2027, marking a significant expansion relative to earlier projections. Officials highlighted that the current plan envisioned far smaller allocations, and Vega Baja has historically received a modest share. The new plan is reported to represent a substantial increase, reflecting a stronger commitment to flood mitigation and regional development.
Among the projects highlighted is the early-2023 tendering of the Almoradi treatment plant, with an estimated investment of 20 million euros. Also planned are the Orihuela Costa AATT project to upgrade adaptation measures at about 6.3 million euros, and the upgrade and expansion of several tertiary water uses across Vega Baja, totaling around 12 million euros for additional treatment capacity. These upgrades are intended to bolster water quality, ensure more reliable drainage, and support local economic activity, including agriculture and tourism.
The president also announced a formal request to the Confederacy for urgent, priority actions along the Segura River to rehabilitate the old riverbed and expand drainage capacity, a move designed to prevent bottlenecks during periods of heavy rainfall and to improve water management for downstream communities.
In La Lonja de Orihuela, the forum drew additional regional leaders, including Mario Martínez, president of the Orihuela Chamber of Commerce; Enrique Riquelme, president of Empresas del Sol; Richard Monasterio, director of the Orihuela Higher Polytechnic School; Dew Pajares, chief executive of Panther; Paul Serna, general manager of TM Real Estate Group; and Tony Cabot, who led the Knowledge Club as moderator. The conversations reflected a broad consensus on accelerating investments that support resilience, innovation, and sustainable growth across Vega Baja, with policymakers emphasizing the importance of aligning public funding with private-sector strengths and regional supply chains. Such alignment resonates with planners and investors in North American markets looking at European regional recovery efforts as a model for climate adaptation and infrastructure modernization.