A study proposes the construction of a desalination plant in Odemira, to supply the Mira Irrigation Perimeter, with capacity for 25 million cubic meters of water/year, an investment 200 million.
The president of the Horticulturists' Association, Fruit growers and flower growers in the municipalities of Odemira and Aljezur (AHSA), Luis Mesquita, told the Lusa agency that this entity ordered “a prior study” a “an Israeli company” specialized in the area with a view to building a desalination plant in the territory.
The study focused on three scenarios: “On the Vincentian coast, with a desalination plant right next to the coast, a second scenario was that of Sines [no SetĂşbal district] and the third returned to be the Municipality of Odemira, but a little further inland so as not to collide with the Natural Park” of the Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina (PNSACV)”, revealed.
According to LuĂs Mesquita, the previous study, that will be finished “still this week”, also carried out a survey of the “investment and water cost calculations” associated with different locations.
“The one that costs a little more is the one that escapes the PNSACV because it has piping and ducts for a few kilometers inland”, explained the person in charge.
However, “is the one that seems most viable to us because it will be the one that, with greater ease and agility, will be accepted by the various entities that have to pronounce”, he stressed.
“What is on the table is the possibility of using this desalination plant not only to solve the problem of lack of water in Mira, but also at the Bravura dam”, in Lagos, no district Faro, he added.
According to the study, the future plant will have the capacity to desalinate 25 million cubic meters of water/year and involves an investment of 200 million.
At Lusa, the president of AHSA said he hopes the investment will be made by “a company or a consortium” of companies, by launching a public tender.
And he estimated that the project requires “of one year” to ensure “all licensing” and more “three and a half years for construction” from the central.
“The first impression we have, through contacts we receive, is that there is a relatively large appetite on the part of companies specialized in this area to make the investment”, said.
The project, noted LuĂs Mesquita, point to “a single installation, that can be modeled”, thus allowing “increase [your] capacity” and solve “the Mira perimeter problem, resulting from the progressive descent of water in the Santa Clara dam”, but also the “filling the Bravura dam”, no Algarve.
However, the president of AHSA highlighted that the planned investment of 200 million euros for the construction of the plant does not provide for connection to the Algarve dam, whose discussion “It's very recent” and for which there is no “still exact value”.
Regarding the price of water, said he was aware that “it will be much more expensive than the water that is available today” for farmers. But, cautioned, “In contrast, It is guaranteed water and life insurance for the coming years, no limitations”.
With the construction of the desalination plant, “potentially the irrigated area” of the Mira Irrigation Perimeter “can increase”, also highlighted LuĂs Mesquita.
“The Mira Irrigation Perimeter has 12 hectares, but only 6000 is that they are watered, because at this moment there is no more water. As soon as there is more water available and there are investors in crops who are able to pay for that water at that price, There is no reason why a larger area of ​​this perimeter should not be used”, He defended.
News: Lidador News/ JN/ Agencies
