A new industrial project is threatening The ecological balance of the Villafáfila Lagune Natural Parkone of the most important wetlands in Spain. The plan foresees the extraction of enormous quantities of water from this protected reserve for the production of hydrogen Green, raising strong concerns between environmentalists and citizens.
At the center of the question is the project H2Medan initiative that involves several European companies, including Enagás (Spain), Ren (Portugal) and Gritgaz and Terega (France). The plan aims to build infrastructures for the production and transport of green hydrogen, including a conduct between Zamora and Portugal. However, to produce hydrogen through water electrolysis, it is necessary A huge water supplyand the choice fell on the villafáfila lagoons, a fragile and protected ecosystem.
A protected area at risk
The Villafáfila lagoon natural park covers over 32,000 hectares and hosts Some of the most important populations of birds in Europe. It is an internationally recognized site, protected by the Ramsar Convention, classified as a special protection area for birds (ZPS) and as a site of community importance (Sic).
Despite this, the project involves the extraction of 117,000 cubic meters of water per yeara quantity equivalent to about 320,000 liters per day. This decision has aroused controversy and strong opposition from environmental associations and ecological parties. The deputy Juantxo López de Uralde, coordinator of Altiania Verde, raised the problem in Parliament, denouncing what he calls one new environmental threat dictated by mere economic interests.
A choice for many irresponsible
According to critics, the water withdrawal could have devastating consequences for the ecosystem, aggravating the already precarious situation of the wetlands in Spain. SEO/BIRDLIFE recently highlighted that 76% of habitats related to wetlands pour into critical conditions. Extracting water from a protected area for industrial purposes therefore appears as a choice irresponsible.
Furthermore, there is little clarity on environmental assessments: Alianza Verde asks the government of make the declaration of environmental impact publicif existing, and to clarify its position on the protection of wetlands. The environmental party also recalled the case of the underground gas in Doñana, another controversial project that had put a natural reserve at risk.
