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Spain's largest floating solar plant owned by an irrigation community has launched on the Cola reservoir in Campo de Cartagena. Inaugurated Thursday March 12 by Region of Murcia president Fernando López Miras and Cartagena mayor Noelia Arroyo, it powers irrigation systems while slashing costs and emissions for local farmers.

 

The €1.4 million facility will produce over 2.1 million kWh annually, covering 85% of the pumping system's energy needs for around 5,000 hectares. That translates to yearly savings of €350,000 on electricity and avoids 700 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Campo de Cartagena Irrigation Community president Manuel Martínez welcomed the support, saying "this park will produce more than 2.1 million kilowatts per year."

 

López Miras called it "the largest and most important plant of its kind in any irrigation community in Spain." He noted it helps over 9,500 farmers irrigate 45,000 hectares more efficiently. "These investments allow farmers to reduce their energy costs, decrease CO₂ emissions, and strengthen the competitiveness of a sector that is strategic for the Region," the president explained.

 

Noelia Arroyo praised local growers' leadership. "Once again, we see the highly responsible management of natural resources, such as water and energy, by our farmers and irrigators," she said. "They have been setting an example of modernisation in all their infrastructure, serving as a benchmark for the efficient use of water and, now, also for renewable energy for self-consumption."

 

This builds on regional subsidies for irrigation upgrades and energy efficiency, with €12.3 million in the latest round. Since 2022, over 43,500 farmers across Murcia have gained from nearly €31 million mobilised. It complements an existing solar plant at La Trinchera reservoir, as Murcia reaches 87% modernised irrigated land, mostly drip systems. López Miras described drip irrigation as "the most efficient system in the world."

 

Both leaders sounded notes of caution over water supplies. López Miras warned a 50% cut to the Tagus-Segura transfer would undo progress: "Without water, this plant won't be floating; it will be on the ground, and there will be no future or jobs in the region." Martínez added that despite basin challenges, headwater reservoir levels should secure this season's campaign.

 

The event drew mayors from Torre Pacheco, Fuente Álamo and Pilar de la Horadada, plus SCRATS president Lucas Jiménez.

 

 

Image: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena