Spain’s Water and Energy Resources
Watersheds Defined
A watershed is a land area and its water aquifers that provide water to the same river course.
Watershed Perspectives
Different perspectives exist, such as Galician and Cantabrian, Atlantic, and Mediterranean.
Water Use: Agriculture & Livestock
Water increases productivity and improves the living standards of farmers. However, water can be contaminated by fertilizers, pesticides, and manure.
Water Use: Urban & Industrial
The provision of water for domestic use is a priority and has high quality standards that ensure potability.
Water Management Policies
Policies are aimed at managing water resources effectively.
Water for Energy (Hydroelectric)
Water is utilized as an energy resource through water falls, thanks to the slopes of some Spanish rivers. It is used to generate energy or for mills.
Coal Resources in Spain
In the mid-twentieth century, Spanish hydrocarbons emerged. The quality of coal is low, making it difficult to convert into coke for the steel industry. The most important zone is Asturias and León.
Oil Resources and Impact
Oil played a key role in the growth of industrialized countries due to its low price and great energy potential. However, it also caused severe economic disruptions because its price increases were passed on to the productive system. A policy of supply diversification is followed to ensure supplies and avoid risks.
Natural Gas Supply
Gas is a mixture of gases in variable proportions (methane, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and ethane). Spain has natural gas reserves (Huesca, Cádiz) but the supply is entirely from abroad.
Nuclear Energy in Spain
Spain has the mineral resources needed to supply power, but the enrichment process must be done in France. Nuclear energy releases a large amount of heat, which evaporates water and turns large turbines thanks to nuclear fission. Its advantages include its high calorific value and producing energy without greenhouse gas emissions during operation.
Solar Energy Potential
The potential for solar energy in Spain is the highest in Europe due to its privileged location. It is a free, clean, and inexhaustible energy source.
Wind Energy Production
Spain is a mountainous country with high wind intensity that makes it the second largest producer of this type of energy in the world.
Principal producing regions:
- Castilla-La Mancha
- Galicia
- Castilla y León
- Aragon
- Andalusia
Biomass Energy Sources
Biomass energy comes from organic matter. This includes natural fermentation or waste derived from agricultural, forestry, and other activities.
Geothermal Energy Use
Geothermal energy utilizes the Earth’s internal heat. In Spain, there are areas with potential for this energy. Low-temperature geothermal deposits are used for heating, supplying hot water to spas, and heating greenhouses.
Water Demand in Catalonia
Water demand is divided into two main areas: the Ebro basin and internal basins. The Ebro basin is used mainly for agriculture and livestock, while the internal basins are used by the population.
Energy & Mineral Resources in Catalonia
Nuclear power plants Ascó I and II and Vandellòs II, all in Tarragona, produce significant energy.
Hydroelectric energy utilizes water from different reservoirs. It also harnesses the power of the Ebro river.