Spain Reservoirs Up 30%, Catalonia Maintains Restrictions

Spain Has More Stored Water Than Years Past, While Catalonia Keeps Restrictions

While Spanish reservoirs accumulate 30% more water than last year, Catalonia maintains restrictions with water levels identical to 2022. Official data reveals a contradiction that feeds skepticism regarding the drought narrative. On December 11, 2023, national reservoirs stored 25,621 hm³, representing 45.72% of capacity, compared to 20,021 hm³ in the same period of 2022. In Catalonia, the situation is identical: 789 hm³, or 40.46%, virtually unchanged from the previous year's 802 hm³. Rainfall accumulated during the hydrological year up to November 21 exceeds the historical average by 15%, making it the wettest year in recent history, with 612.2 million hm³ of precipitation versus 508 million last year.

Why Are Restrictions Maintained Despite Higher Water Levels?

The paradox is evident. With more water than last year, the Catalan government plans to declare a drought emergency in January, capping consumption at 200 liters per inhabitant per day. Some argue these restrictions respond to a political agenda rather than actual scarcity. The Minister for Climate Action, David Mascort, stated the measure stems from a 16% drop in reservoir levels, although data shows levels are similar to those in 2022. Elsewhere in Spain, the situation is even more striking: some areas have received so much rain that they cannot lower levels even by releasing water. The drought, apparently, is selective.

The Drought Map: Where Is It Really Located?

The line of structural drought runs from Badajoz to La Sagra, then to Valencia and exits through inland Catalonia. Above this line, there is no structural drought; below it, catastrophe. This covers more than half the country and its most valuable agricultural zones. Differential inflation in Spain is partly attributed to this drought, which will spread to Europe via food prices. Restrictions are expected across half of Spain within months. Meanwhile, in Galicia, the inner Cantabrian region, and the Ebro basin, authorities cannot allow reservoir levels to rise further due to incoming storms and flood risks. These basins will never exceed 80% capacity at this time of year. Water is abundant in some places and scarce in others.

The Business of Hydroelectric Power: Releasing Water for Energy?

Part of the debate suggests that water releases are not driven by drought but by hydroelectric power generation. On many days, between 25% and 30% of generated electricity comes from hydro sources. Pumped storage technology allows energy storage by pumping water to upper reservoirs at night when wind surplus exists. However, some doubt this is happening: "Do you pump water using pumps that consume more energy than is generated?" they ask. A complete breakdown reveals surprising differences. The reality is that water is released to produce electricity, which lowers reservoir levels.

The Ebro Transfer: An Open Wound

Catalonia's rejection of the Ebro transfer continues to cause friction. Some participants argue that Catalans opposed the national hydrological plan because they wanted all the water for themselves, and now face restrictions. Others recall that 80% of water is consumed by irrigation, while water is released to sell hydroelectricity at the highest price on the energy pool. The discussion devolves into attacks and generalizations, but the background is clear: water management is a political struggle. Meanwhile, Segarro won't lack water, some joke ironically, though the reality is that olive trees are drying out there too.

What About Rainfall and Climate Change?

Rainfall has always been cyclical. If one season is wetter, the next is drier. The problem is that after two months without rain, the narrative starts, and fools agree. Soon it rains again, and the fools move on. This year, in inland Spain, mushrooms have been harvested non-stop since June, including Caesar's Amanita and Boletus, trinc rains that ruined the olive harvest. September was very rainy, and since then, people have collected Niskalos, Porcini, and field mushrooms. "A historic year," they say. But the climate agenda continues its course.

Official Narrative Versus Data

The conclusion is uncomfortable. Reservoir and rainfall data contradict the extreme drought narrative. Some argue everything is an excuse to raise taxes and restrict rights. Others defend that drought is real in certain areas and management must adapt. What is clear is that official information does not match what many see in the field. Who should we believe?