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Energized water: Evolution of water-energy nexus in the Spanish irrigated agriculture, 1950–2017

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  • Espinosa-Tasón, Jaime
  • Berbel, Julio
  • Gutiérrez-Martín, Carlos

Abstract

This study describes the evolution of the Spanish irrigated sector and focuses on water abstraction, water consumption, and energy use in the period 1950–2017. The analysis shows evidence of the basins reaching closure state and the impact on energy use from irrigation supply. The response in the context of an increasing water demand with a limited supply has been investment in water-saving and conservation technologies (WSCT) with the transformation of furrow-irrigated areas into those of drip and sprinkler, resulting in an increase in irrigation efficiency. The effect of this policy implies an increase in energy use by a factor of six in the period while the irrigated area triples and its water use doubles in the same period. Water abstraction reaches its peak in the year 2004 and decreases slightly as a consequence of subsidies to WSCT. The impact on energy consumption in pumping and treatment illustrates the water-energy nexus in Spain’s agriculture and the change in the water policy paradigm from supply augmentation towards demand management.

Suggested Citation

  • Espinosa-Tasón, Jaime & Berbel, Julio & Gutiérrez-Martín, Carlos, 2020. "Energized water: Evolution of water-energy nexus in the Spanish irrigated agriculture, 1950–2017," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:233:y:2020:i:c:s0378377419316488
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2020.106073
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    2. Chen Bai & Lixiao Yao & Cheng Wang & Yongxuan Zhao & Weien Peng, 2022. "Optimization of Water and Energy Spatial Patterns in the Cascade Pump Station Irrigation District," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-17, April.
    3. Carles Sanchis-Ibor & Mar Ortega-Reig & Amanda Guillem-García & Juan M. Carricondo & Juan Manzano-Juárez & Marta García-Mollá & Álvaro Royuela, 2021. "Irrigation Post-Modernization. Farmers Envisioning Irrigation Policy in the Region of Valencia (Spain)," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-21, April.
    4. Zhang, Yongqiang & Ge, Maosheng & Zhang, Qianwen & Xue, Shaopeng & Wei, Fuqiang & Sun, Hao, 2023. "What did irrigation modernization in China bring to the evolution of water-energy-greenhouse gas emissions?," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    5. Jani, Arun D. & Meadows, Taylor D. & Eckman, Megan A. & Ferrarezi, Rhuanito Soranz, 2021. "Automated ebb-and-flow subirrigation conserves water and enhances citrus liner growth compared to capillary mat and overhead irrigation methods," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    6. Carricondo-Antón, J.M. & Jiménez-Bello, M.A. & Manzano Juárez, J. & Royuela Tomas, A. & Sala, A., 2022. "Evaluating the use of meteorological predictions in directly pumped irrigational operations using photovoltaic energy," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    7. Heider, Katharina & Quaranta, Emanuele & García Avilés, José María & Rodriguez Lopez, Juan Miguel & Balbo, Andrea L. & Scheffran, Jürgen, 2022. "Reinventing the wheel – The preservation and potential of traditional water wheels in the terraced irrigated landscapes of the Ricote Valley, southeast Spain," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    8. Duran-Ros, Miquel & Puig-Bargués, Jaume & Cufí, Sílvia & Solé-Torres, Carles & Arbat, Gerard & Pujol, Joan & Ramírez de Cartagena, Francisco, 2022. "Effect of different filter media on emitter clogging using reclaimed effluents," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    9. Campana, P.E. & Lastanao, P. & Zainali, S. & Zhang, J. & Landelius, T. & Melton, F., 2022. "Towards an operational irrigation management system for Sweden with a water–food–energy nexus perspective," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    10. Tocados-Franco, Enrique & Berbel, Julio & Expósito, Alfonso, 2023. "Water policy implications of perennial expansion in the Guadalquivir River Basin (southern Spain)," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    11. Julio Berbel & Jaime Espinosa-Tasón, 2020. "La gestión del regadío ante la escasez del agua," Studies on the Spanish Economy eee2020-34, FEDEA.

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