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Water and energy efficiency in irrigation

The concept of efficiency as a ratio should provide insight into best practices in irrigation management. Specifically, water and energy use have shaped the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of irrigated agriculture throughout history. These two concepts are particularly relevant and closely interrelated, and have been priorities in the irrigation policies of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Below, we present a series of documents and studies published in recent years concerning water and energy efficiency in irrigation at the national level. It is important to note that the specific figures and criteria adopted over time have been updated and changed, and therefore should not be taken as absolute but rather as a perspective that remains open to their evolution and development.

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Documents on Energy Efficiency

documents

Energy Efficiency
Year Document Description Bibliography links
2002 Irrigation and energy planning and the actions of the PNR H-2008 and the National Energy Plan Irrigation and energy planning. Structure of net energy production. Primary energy demand in agriculture. Hydroelectric power production. Influence of the National Irrigation Plan Horizon 2008 action programs on the National Electricity Plan. The actions of the National Irrigation Plan Horizon 2008 and the National Energy Plan. National Irrigation Plan Horizon 2008. Current situation of irrigation and Action Plan. 2002. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Madrid.
2005 IDAE. Energy Saving and Efficiency in Irrigated Agriculture Energy savings and figures from the National Irrigation Plan, demands and increased consumption. Efficient irrigation. Irrigator advice. New technologies for irrigation. Operational measures and proposed measures for saving water and energy. IDAE. 2005. Energy Saving and Efficiency in Irrigated Agriculture. Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE). Madrid.
2005 Agriculture Magazine. Energy Saving and Efficiency in Irrigated Agriculture I Summary of the operational measures proposed for energy saving and efficiency in irrigated agriculture in all its areas, from Public Administration and User Communities to the design of the irrigation network or information and training on energy saving and efficiency. F. Monedero Gómez. 2005. Energy Saving and Efficiency in Irrigated Agriculture I. Agriculture Magazine No. 875, pp. 472-476. Madrid.
2005 Agriculture Magazine. Energy Saving and Efficiency in Irrigated Agriculture II The reflections that have served to obtain the conclusions of the summary article of the operational measures proposed for energy saving and efficiency in irrigated agriculture are presented. F. Monedero Gómez. 2005. Energy Saving and Efficiency in Irrigated Agriculture II. Agriculture Magazine No. 876, pp. 562-567. Madrid.
2008 IDAE. Energy Saving and Efficiency in Irrigation Communities Characteristics of irrigation communities. Critical points of energy consumption. Energy saving and efficiency measures in the design and operation of the installation. Energy saving and efficiency measures in pumping equipment. Energy saving measures in electricity tariff contracts. Evaluation of energy saving and efficiency measures. Energy audits in irrigation communities. Recommendations to increase energy saving and efficiency. Carmen Rocamora Osorio, Ricardo Abadía Sánchez and Antonio Ruiz Canales. 2008. Energy Saving and Efficiency in Irrigation Communities. Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE). Madrid.
2008 IDAE. Energy Audit Protocol in Irrigation Communities Internal operating data of the Irrigation Communities. Description of the infrastructure and operation. Energy consumption data and energy assessment and rating of the Irrigation Communities. Proposal for improvements and evaluation. Ricardo Abadía Sánchez, Carmen Rocamora Osorio and Antonio Ruiz Canales. 2008. Energy Audit Protocol in Irrigation Communities. Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE). Madrid.
2008 Measures to improve energy efficiency in irrigation communities (I) These are mostly simple measures related to the design and management of irrigation facilities to achieve energy efficiency in irrigation communities that are modernizing their distribution infrastructure or have recently done so, and which generally do not require large investments. M. Carmen Rocamora Osorio et al. Measures to improve energy efficiency in irrigation communities (I). Revista Agricultura nº 905, pp. 260-264. Madrid.
2008 Measures to improve energy efficiency in irrigation communities (II) Measures that allow for improved energy efficiency of pumping equipment at pumping stations. M. Carmen Rocamora Osorio et al. Measures to improve energy efficiency in irrigation communities (II). Revista Agricultura nº 906, pp. 340-344. Madrid.
2010 Analysis and evaluation of the relationship between water and energy in Spain This study was conducted under the Specific Agreement between the Botín Foundation and the Polytechnic University of Madrid for the research project: “Analysis and evaluation of the relationship between water and energy in Spain.” In a globalized economy, energy- and water-consuming production sectors must be encouraged to produce using the best available technology, responding to the prices of goods and services, the prices of factors of production, and internalizing environmental costs. Laurent Hardy and Alberto Garrido. 2010. Analysis and evaluation of the relationships between water and energy in Spain. In: Virtual Water Papers No. 6. Water Observatory. Marcelino Botín Foundation. Santander.
2016 OPTIREG: Energy Saving Measures. Efficient Irrigation Management The management of on-site facilities. Reduction of water consumption. Efficiency in the collective network installations. Regulation of the pumping station. Energy efficiency of pumping equipment. Data collection and measurements at the pumping station and the network. Contracting for electricity supply. Efficiency in management operations. Training, awareness, and information. Agricultural Transformation Company, SA (TRAGSA). 2016. Energy Saving Measures. Efficient Irrigation Management (OPTIREG). Agricultural Transformation Company, SA (TRAGSA). Madrid.
2017 The water-energy-land nexus: an analysis of the water and energy footprint of irrigation in Spain It summarizes the results of a study on the analysis of water and energy use efficiency in irrigation in Spain between 2000 and 2011. It shows the complex interrelationships between water, land and energy in Spain. Bárbara A. Willaarts and Beatriz Mayor. 2017. The water-energy-land nexus: an analysis of the water and energy footprint of irrigation in Spain. Marcelino Botín Foundation. Santander.
2018 Energy efficiency measures in irrigation Water management by the Administration. Water control by the Water Authority. Management by the irrigation community. Design of irrigation systems. Design and sectorization of the distribution network. Design of pumping systems. Irrigation unit and equipment on the plots. Maintenance of pumping systems. New R&D projects. Regional Government of Andalusia. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development. 2018. Energy efficiency measures in irrigation. Regional Government of Andalusia. Seville.
2021 Guide for irrigation communities Irrigation communities can be more energy efficient and sustainable. The energy situation of irrigators. Energy consumption in agriculture. Energy saving and efficiency measures: Energy consumption management. Water consumption. Installation design and operation. Plot infrastructure. Pumping equipment. Renewable energy. Linkener. 2021. Manual for energy efficiency in irrigation. Linkener. Valencia.
Water and Energy Efficiency
Year Document Description Bibliography links
2020 Irrigation and the water-energy nexus in the energy transition This article analyzes Spain's food and energy sustainability to guide the future of irrigation. It examines the energy balance of Spanish irrigation, the challenges of managing electricity generation sources, especially renewables, water as an energy vector in Spain's energy transition, and energy storage infrastructure. Manuel Omedas. Irrigation and the water-energy nexus in the transition
Energy. 2020. In: Positive externalities of irrigation. Chapter 9, pp. 103-112. National Federation of Irrigation Communities of Spain (FENACORE). Coordinated by Julio Berbel. Madrid.
2024 Water-energy nexus - technical solutions to technical problems Irrigation methods and their distribution systems. Irrigation efficiency and productivity. Water use and energy consumption in Spain. Modernizations. Future perspectives. Luis Juana and Raúl Sánchez. 2024. Water-energy nexus: technical solutions to technical problems. 2024. In: Irrigation and Food Security. The situation in Spain. Chapter 3, pp. 1-154. Coordinated by Alberto Garrido and Jaime Lamo de Espinosa. Cajamar Caja Rural. Alicante.
Water Efficiency
Year Document Description Bibliography links
2013 FAO. Addressing water scarcity. A framework for action for agriculture and food security This report aims to provide a conceptual framework for addressing the issue of food security in conditions of water scarcity for agriculture. The report was prepared by a team of FAO consultants and staff members within the framework of the project “Addressing Water Scarcity: The Role of Agriculture.”. FAO. 2013. Addressing water scarcity: A framework for action for agriculture and food security. FAOSTAT – Land Use. 2013. Rome, Italy.
2014 Effects of irrigation modernization on water consumption, energy and cost This article analyzes the effects of irrigation modernization on water consumption, energy consumption, and cost. Julio Berbel, Carlos Gutiérrez-Martín, Emilio Camacho Poyato, Pilar Montesinos Barrios, Juan Antonio Rodríguez-Díaz. 2014. Effects of irrigation modernization on water consumption, energy and cost. XIII Congress of Irrigation Communities, May 14-15, 2014. Huelva.
2016 ICID. Water Management in a Changing World: Role of irrigation for Sustainable Food Production. 2nd World Irrigation Forum This Forum features the theme of “Water Management in a Changing World: Role of Irrigation for Sustainable Food Production” with participants working in areas related to agricultural water management. Abstract Volume of 2nd World irrigation Forum. 2016. International Commission on IrrIgatIon and Drainage (ICID). 2nd World irrigation Forum 6-8 November 2016, Chiang Mai. Indonesia.
2017 FAO. Does improved irrigation technology save water? Discussion paper on irrigation and sustainable water resources management in the Near East and North Africa. The evidence from research and field measurements shows that this is not the case. The benefit at the local “on-farm” scale may appear dramatic, but when properly accounted at basin scale, total water consumption by irrigation tends to increase instead of decreasing. Chris Perry. 2017. Does improved irrigation technology save water? FAO. Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity for the Near East and North Africa. Cairo. Egypt.
2017 ICID. Irrigated Agriculture Development under Drought and Water Scarcity Water Scarcity and Drought Monitoring and Early Warning System Drought Management Strategy. Framework for Drought and Water Scarcity Management. Saeed Nairizi. 2017. Irrigated Agricultural Development under Drought and Water Scarcity. International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID). New Delhi. India.
2017 Effects of irrigation modernization in Spain Analysis of the effects that the modernization of irrigation systems is having in Spain. Julio Berbel, Carlos Gutiérrez-Martín. 2017. Effects of the modernization of irrigation in Spain. Cajamar Caja Rural. Alicante.
2019 ICID. International Workshop on Improving the Water Use Efficiency and Productivity within Water Energy Food Nexus. 3rd World Irrigation Forum Proceedings book of International Workshop on Improving the Water Use Efficiency and Productivity within Water Energy Food Nexus (CROP). 3rd World Irrigation Forum (WIF3). International CommIssIon on IrrIgatIon and drainage (ICID). Proceedings of International Workshop on Improving the Water Use Efficiency and Productivity within Water Energy Food Nexus (CROP). 2019, International Commission on IrrigatIon and Drainage (ICID). 3rd World Irrigation Forum (WIF3) 1-7 September 2019, Bali. Indonesia.
2019 Towards sustainable and resilient irrigation in the face of climate change Characterization of the distinguishing features of the main irrigation systems, as well as the short- and long-term challenges of these systems in relation to climate change, European policies, and other factors of global change. Development of a set of proposals to address the identified challenges, improve adaptation and resilience to climate change, and enhance the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of the main irrigation systems in Spain. Julia Martínez, Ricardo Aliod, Joan Corominas, Rubén Ladrera, Francesc La Roca, Laura Sánchez, Santiago Álvarez, Omar Bongers, Abel La Call. 2019. Towards sustainable and resilient irrigation in the face of climate change. New Water Culture Foundation. Madrid.
2019 Evaluation of water use in the BXII irrigation zone of the Lower Guadalquivir using the relative irrigation supply indicator This paper presents the possibilities of remote sensing to evaluate water use in the irrigated area of Sector BXII of the Lower Guadalquivir at different scales of information aggregation. Elena Navarro; Silvia Alfieri, Pedro Parias, Luciano Mateos. 2019. Evaluation of water use in the BXII irrigation sector of the Lower Guadalquivir using the relative irrigation supply indicator. XXXVII National Irrigation Congress. Don Benito. Badajoz.
2019 ICID. Development for Water, Food and Nutrition Security in a Competitive Environment. 3rd World Irrigation Forum Vision 2030, under limiting natural resources, calls for recognizing the interlinkages between various sectors. Given above, the main theme of the 3rd World Irrigation Forum (WIF3) is chosen as “Development for water, food and nutrition security in a competitive environment”. Development for Water, Food and Nutrition Security in a Competitive Environment. 2019. Full Papers of 3rd World Irrigation Forum. 1-7 September 2019, Bali. Indonesia.
2020 LAYMAN'S REPORT. LIFE AGROgestor Project The LIFE AGROgestor project is a commitment to generating knowledge and sustainability in the sector, through the collaboration of public entities and administrations, by creating two digital platforms for agricultural knowledge and advice. Layman's report LIFE16 ENV/ES/287. LIFE AGROgestor Project. LIFE financial instrument of the European Community. Brussels, Belgium.
2020 Resilience in water consumption by water supplies and irrigation systems in the face of droughts in southeastern Spain The object of study is to analyze and compare how irrigators and water supplies respond to drought situations in Southeast Spain in the 21st century, using the example of the droughts of 2005-2008 and 2017-2018. The aim of this study is to analyze and compare how irrigators and water supplies respond to drought situations in Southeast Spain in the 21st century, using the droughts of 2005-2008 and 2017-2018 as examples. Cuadernos de Geografía 104 pp. 107-130. Valencia.
2020 ICID. Improving irrigation water use efficiency This synthesis is designed to support capacity development to improve water use efficiency in irrigation as part of the project, Blue Peace in the Middle East: Regional Collaboration on Water. It provides a foundation for developing a series of in-depth training manuals and programs that are appropriate for different audiences and circumstances. Turkish Water Institute (SUEN) 2020. Improving irrigation water use efficiency: A synthesis of options to support capacity development. Istanbul, Turkey.
2022 ICID. Water-Saving in Agriculture A Roadmap to ICID Vision 2030 This book synthesized and provided summary information on successful water-saving case studies from Australia, Brazil, China, India, Egypt, Korea, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain, Turkmenistan, and the USA. It also highlighted that water-saving efforts are more visible in countries having significant area under irrigated agriculture. ICID. Water-Saving in Agriculture A Roadmap to ICID Vision 2030. 2022. International Commission on IrrigatIon and Drainage (ICID). New Delhi. India.
2022 ICID. 24th ICID International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage. Innovation and Research in Agricultural Water Management to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals The congress aims to provide a platform for irrigation and drainage professionals and the broad range of other stakeholders to share their knowledge and experience in sustainable agriculture water management focusing on irrigation management and its related/integrated aspects. ICID. 2022. Innovation and Research in Agricultural Water Management to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals. International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID). 24th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage. 3-10 October 2022, Adelaide, Australia.
2023 ICID. Historical Water Sustainability Lessons learned from antiquity may prove effective and efficient for future water use. This publication provides the readers with glimpses of lessons learned and way forward for “Historical water sustainability” in the 21st Century. Kamran Emami and Vijay K. Labhsetwar. 2023. Historical Water Sustainability. International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID). New Delhi. India.
2023 ICID. 25th ICID International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage. Tackling Water Scarcity in Agriculture The congress aims to provide response for two main questions: What Alternative Water Resources could be Tapped for Irrigated Agriculture? Which On-Farm Techniques can Increase Water Productivity?. ICID. 2023. Tackling Water Scarcity in Agriculture. 25th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage. 1-8 November 2023, Vishakhapatnam (Vizag), Andhra Pradesh State. India.
2024 Tools and minimum requirements for data processing Presentation on the tools and minimum requirements for data processing to optimize irrigation: Fundamental axes and objectives of modernized irrigation management. Digitization of data and processes. System interoperability. Process control in irrigation. Irrigation optimization. Use of sensors and remote sensing. Tools for advanced irrigation analysis. Community fertigation in extensive crops from EB. Future projects. Pedro Javier Fernández Pesado. 2024. Tools and minimum requirements for data processing. Conference on the Use of Big Data, sensors and remote sensing for calculating irrigation doses, organized by the General Sub-Directorate of Irrigation, Natural Paths and Rural Infrastructure of the MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food). April 23, 2024. Madrid.
2024 Irrigation optimization using satellite imagery Presentation on irrigation optimization using satellite imagery, covering the following sections: Introduction to remote sensing. Remote observation data. Data access and processing tools. Applications of satellite imagery in agriculture. Other image sources: drones. Remote sensing applied to irrigation management. SIAR space project. María José Checa Alonso. 2024. Irrigation optimization with satellite imagery. Conference on the Use of Big Data, sensors and remote sensing for calculating irrigation doses, organized by the General Directorate of Irrigation, Natural Paths and Rural Infrastructure of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA). April 23, 2024. Madrid.
2024 The role of sensors in irrigated agriculture Presentation on the role played in the optimization of irrigation by sensors that monitor the state of water in plants and soil, and that report on whether the water being supplied to the environment is sufficient at a given time. Francisco Casares. 2024. The role of sensors in irrigated agriculture. Conference on the Use of Big Data, sensors and remote sensing for calculating irrigation doses, organized by the General Directorate of Irrigation, Natural Paths and Rural Infrastructure of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA). April 23, 2024. Madrid.
2024 Use of ICTs to implement precision irrigation systems Presentation on the use of new technologies to implement efficient precision irrigation systems, covering the following aspects: Introduction and context. Basic concepts of irrigation scheduling. Technologies for precision irrigation. Precision irrigation model. Example of a precision irrigation tool. Carmen María Flores Cayuela. 2024. Use of ICTs to implement precision irrigation systems. Workshop on the Use of Big Data, sensors and remote sensing for calculating irrigation doses, organized by the General Directorate of Irrigation, Natural Paths and Rural Infrastructure of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA). April 23, 2024. Madrid.
Water Efficiency in Irrigation Reservoirs
Year Document Description Bibliography links
2004 Characterization and modeling of evaporation in evaporation pans and irrigation reservoirs: Evaluation of the effects of shading nets Doctoral thesis of José Miguel Molina Martínez - Polytechnic University of Cartagena. Department of Food and Agricultural Equipment Engineering. José Miguel Molina Martínez. 2004. Characterization and modeling of evaporation in evaporation pans and irrigation reservoirs: evaluation of the effects of shading nets. Doctoral thesis. Polytechnic University of Cartagena. Department of Food and Agricultural Equipment Engineering. Cartagena. Murcia.
2009 Research on the application of shade netting in irrigation ponds Presentation on the application of shade nets in irrigation ponds by Victoriano Martínez Álvarez of the Research Group “Design, automation and control of irrigation and greenhouses” of the Polytechnic University of Cartagena. Victoriano Martínez Álvarez. 2009. Research on the application of shade netting in irrigation ponds. Presentation. Polytechnic University of Cartagena. Murcia.
2014 Estimation of evaporation in irrigation ponds using remote sensing techniques. Study applied to the southern coastal slope of the Region of Murcia This study applies remote sensing techniques to recognize and identify irrigation ponds in certain areas of Murcia. Using satellite imagery, the irrigation ponds were located through methods based on water reflectance analysis, and an image was obtained representing their spatial distribution. Subsequently, Class A pan evaporation rates corresponding to the study area were applied to calculate the total annual evaporation from these ponds and, therefore, the resulting water losses for irrigation. Daniel Ibarra, Alberto Martínez Salvador, Carmelo Conesa García, Francisco Belmonte Serrato. 2014. Estimation of evaporation in irrigation ponds using remote sensing techniques. A study applied to the southern coastal slope of the Region of Murcia. XVI National Congress of Geographic Information Technologies, June 25, 26 and 27, 2014. Alicante.
2014 Reduction of evaporation losses in irrigation ponds using monolayers. Experimental evaluation in a Class A tank The efficiency of the commercial monolayer WaterSavr in reducing evaporation is analyzed, as well as its effects on water temperature and on the heat exchanges of the water mass. V. Martínez-Alvarez, B. Gallego-Elvira, B. Martín-Górriz, P. Pittaway. 2014. Reduction of evaporation losses in irrigation ponds using monolayers. Experimental evaluation in class A tanks. XXXII NATIONAL IRRIGATION CONGRESS, June 10-12, 2014. Madrid.
2021 Experimental evaluation of modular floating covers in irrigation ponds This work contains the results obtained after the experimental trial as a mitigation technique for the evaporation of two prototypes of modular floating cover. Victoriano Martínez Álvarez. 2021. Experimental evaluation of modular floating covers in irrigation ponds. XXXVIII NATIONAL IRRIGATION CONGRESS, November 3-5, 2021. Cartagena, Murcia.
2021 New functions of irrigation ponds in a transition towards more sustainable agriculture, in the province of Alicante The new functions of the ponds are: regulating surface water volumes diverted from rivers without interfering with their natural dynamics; matching the supply and demand of wastewater and desalinated water, also enabling the use of renewable energy sources; and contributing, as micro-wetlands, in combination with agricultural activity, to increased biodiversity. ZAPATA RABOSO, FA 2021. New functions of irrigation ponds in a transition towards more sustainable agriculture, in the province of Alicante. XXXVIII NATIONAL IRRIGATION CONGRESS, November 3-5, 2021. Cartagena. Murcia.
2025 Control of losses in irrigation ponds: drains and evaporation Article on water losses due to seepage through the reservoir and water losses due to evaporation in irrigation ponds to achieve the primary objective in their design and construction of achieving maximum storage efficiency. Victoriano Martínez Álvarez, José Francisco Maestre Valero, Belén Gallego Elvira. 2025. Control of losses in irrigation ponds: drains and evaporation. Fenacore. (Online) at https://fenacore.org/news/control-de-mermbas-en-balsas-de-riego/
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