Lorca, 22 May 2025 – Today, an institutional meeting was held in Lorca on the occasion of the visit of Federico Di Filippi, the supervisor appointed by the European Commission, who came to see firsthand the progress of the LIFE H2OLOCK European project, currently being developed at the La Jeresa reservoir, managed by the Lorca Irrigation Community.
The LIFE H2OLOCK project proposes an innovative solution to one of the main challenges facing irrigation in arid regions: water evaporation. This modular floating technology is designed to cover the surface of irrigation ponds using lightweight mats and sectorised modules that block direct sunlight, achieving a reduction of more than 80% in evaporation losses. Additionally, it helps improve water quality, prevents algae proliferation, and allows for the integration of solar panels to generate renewable energy.
Federico Di Filippi, project supervisor for the European Commission, highlighted the project’s importance within the framework of the LIFE programme’s initiatives: “The LIFE programme co-finances projects that offer concrete solutions in key areas such as the environment, climate, and energy transition. LIFE H2OLOCK is a clear success story: it has met its objectives, developed a unique solution not found elsewhere in Europe, and proven its technical and economic feasibility. This technology provides certainty to the agricultural sector by reducing evaporation and limiting algae growth, and it has strong potential for replication across the continent. The economic benefits it generates ensure long-term sustainability for both the promoting companies and the farmers who adopt it.”
José Miguel Gimeno, the project coordinator, explained: “We have been working on LIFE H2OLOCK for nearly three years with a clear goal: to provide an effective, sustainable, and scalable solution to a problem that threatens the viability of irrigation. The results we’re seeing at the pilot sites — including La Jeresa — are very positive. Not only are we saving water, but we are also lowering costs for farmers and improving water quality.”
Ángel Meca, Lorca’s Councillor for Water and Agriculture, noted: “It would be very interesting to extend this project to other reservoirs across the municipality because, as we’ve seen, each year temperatures are becoming more extreme, and the benefits to the sector will be evident. I’ve encouraged the European Commission to continue working hand-in-hand with the Irrigation Community, given its scale and forward-thinking initiatives in the face of local resource scarcity. The goal must be to continue along this path of innovation and sustainability.”
Antonio Ibarra, Vice President of the Irrigation Community, added:“As managers of water resources, we have a responsibility to adopt technologies that help us protect them. This solution is not only technically effective but also addresses the real needs of the agricultural sector. We are proud that Lorca is one of the selected locations for its development.”
The LIFE H2OLOCK project, co-financed by the European LIFE programme, is now entering its final validation and dissemination phase. Tests carried out in Spain and Portugal confirm its effectiveness and pave the way for its implementation in other agricultural areas particularly affected by climate change.