The Next Generation EU funding programme aims to create a joint and coordinated response to the social and economic crisis caused by the pandemic. It was approved in 2020 and offers €750 billion in funding to help Member States repair the damage caused by COVID-19.
The main financial instrument of the programme is the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), which has a budget of €672.5 billion. The budget is made up of:
- €312.5 billion for non-refundable transfers to Member States.
- €360 billion for loans to Member States.
This instrument is complemented by the Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe (REACT-EU) and the other instruments planned in the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, to boost reforms and investments in priority areas on a European level.
Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan
In response to the requirements set by the EU for Member States to access the RRF, on 30 April 2021, the Spanish Government presented the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (RTRP). It was approved by the EU’s College of Commissioners on 16 June 2021 and finally by the EU’s Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) on 13 July 2021.
This plan aims to invest nearly €140 billion until 2026, of which €69.528 billion are non-refundable transfers and more than €70 billion can be channelled through RRF loans.
The four main objectives are ecological transition, digital transformation, social and territorial cohesion, and gender equality.
RTRP in Pasaia Port
The Pasaia Port Authority has received €1,925,000 in funding from the RRF to carry out two sustainability and water efficiency actions, within the framework of Component 6 of the RTRP: “Sustainable, safe and connected mobility”. Specifically, they belong to investment line 6.13 “Intermodality and logistics”.
Runoff water treatment at Lezo dock
Implementation of a system, called a hydrocyclone, at Lezo dock 1 designed to collect and treat surface runoff, which is not drained and can carry polluting substances. The aim is to facilitate treatment before it reaches the sea and to reduce environmental pollution. The facility initially collects water from 20,000 m2 in Lezo 1.
Works will be carried throughout 2025 to extend by 10,000 m2 the area covered by this new facility, reaching 75% of the wharf. The Pasaia Port Authority will gradually introduce this system as the rest of docks are resurfaced.
The new facility has been funded by Next Generation EU as part of the Spanish Government’s RTRP. Sobrinos de Manuel Cámara, BERGÉ’s operating company in the port, will be in charge of managing this project.
Water distribution network sectorisation
The drinking water network sectorisation in the port facilities aims to optimise the distribution and consumption of drinking water in the docks. To this end, the following actions will be carried out:
- Extension of the mesh network.
- Full digitalisation of the system to detect leaks and monitor consumption in real time.
- Installation of pressure and flow sensors and motorised valves.
In total, the Pasaia Port Authority will invest €1,520,000, also funded by the RTRP’s Next Generation funds, to carry out these works in the areas of Herrera, Molinao and Lezo, thus allowing remote control of the flows, consumption and pressures in the port’s hydraulic network.