The Málaga Provincial Council has designed an investment package for 2026 aimed at making significant progress in water management, energy transition, and internal mobility . In total, the provincial institution plans to allocate €60,3 million specifically to projects related to the integrated water cycle, the implementation of renewable energies—with a particular focus on biomass—and the improvement of the road network connecting the municipalities.
These actions fall under the Infrastructure and Sustainable Territory area , headed by Vice President Cristóbal Ortega, which will have a total budget of €77,8 million. This area encompasses some of the Provincial Council's political priorities: improving mobility in inland towns , modernizing basic services such as water supply, and promoting the implementation of clean technologies in public facilities.
A budget focused on sustainability and territorial cohesion
Ortega emphasized that the Provincial Council has been increasing funding for strategic projects in rural areas for years , aiming to support the province's economic growth while maintaining environmental sustainability. The roadmap for 2026 continues this approach and aspires to consolidate Málaga as a more resilient territory in the face of climate change and better connected internally.
The allocation of funds reflects three main lines of action: the modernization of the integrated water cycle; the expansion of the use of biomass and other renewable solutions at the local level; and an intensive plan for the renewal, safety and conservation of the provincial road network, key to communication between towns and for the daily life of residents and visitors.
Within the area's overall budget, €60,3 million is directly allocated to projects related to water, renewable energy, and mobility. The remainder is earmarked for other complementary areas such as tourism promotion , strengthening green infrastructure, and supporting local initiatives aligned with climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The provincial vice-president has insisted that these priorities are not one-off, but rather part of an ongoing strategy: the Provincial Council aims to improve the quality of life in the municipalities through more efficient services, less fossil fuel energy consumption , and roads in better condition.
Modernization of the integrated water cycle
One of the most important chapters is dedicated to water. Throughout 2026, €27,9 million is earmarked for projects to strengthen the integrated water cycle in the province of Málaga . The goal is to combine technology, infrastructure upgrades, and basic sanitation works to reduce losses, optimize resources, and guarantee a more reliable service for residents.
One of the main priorities is the digitalization of water supply systems. To this end, €12,9 million has been allocated to improve supply efficiency and leak detection . This package includes the installation of more than 6.000 remote-reading meters, which will allow for real-time monitoring of consumption and faster detection of problems.
The contract to implement these measures has been awarded to Acciona Agua, which will be responsible for deploying leak detectors and locators throughout the network. The project will cover approximately 210 reservoirs and 600 kilometers of pipelines , introducing monitoring systems to facilitate daily technical management.
In addition to monitoring the distribution network, the project includes monitoring the flow rates of wells, municipal water intakes, and wastewater treatment plants . The aim is to obtain a more accurate picture of the entire water cycle, from supply sources to wastewater treatment, in order to anticipate problems and make data-driven decisions.
Another key area of ​​focus is the renewal of basic infrastructure. The Provincial Council will allocate €8,3 million to modernizing water supply pipes and reservoirs , a crucial step in preventing frequent breakdowns and water losses in aging networks. An additional €2 million will be used for sewage works aimed at improving sanitation in various municipalities.
These actions are reinforced by an additional €4,7 million from the Provincial Water Consortium , which is integrated into the same investment strategy. With this joint package, the province aims to significantly improve the efficiency of its water supply and sanitation systems, a particularly critical issue in a context of increasing water scarcity across much of southern Europe.
Boosting biomass and other renewable energies
Alongside water infrastructure, the Provincial Council has allocated a significant portion of its budget to promoting the energy transition in municipalities. In 2026, €8,6 million will be invested in biomass heating projects for public buildings, consolidating a line of work already tested in various areas of the province.
Following previous experiences in municipalities in the Sierra de las Nieves region , the goal for the coming year is to extend these systems to 13 towns in the Genal and Guadiaro valleys. The idea is to replace or supplement traditional boilers with biomass-fired systems, reducing emissions and, in many cases, operating costs in the medium term.
In addition to biomass, the Provincial Council aims to strengthen the technical and scientific foundation of its climate policies. To this end, €700.000 has been allocated to Málaga Viva Lab , a research and experimentation center focused on climate change located in Ardales. This facility is envisioned as a laboratory for testing innovative solutions applicable to the region.
Another allocation of €510.000 will be used to address the needs of local councils regarding urban green infrastructure and energy communities , within the Provincial Assistance and Cooperation Plan. This includes projects such as climate-resilient green spaces, land banks for environmental initiatives, and supplies aimed at mitigating and adapting to global warming, including sustainable urban mobility measures.
Completing this section, €1,8 million will be allocated to improving sections of the Great Malaga Path and upgrading other trails, thus integrating the environmental dimension with public use of the land and active tourism. In addition, €300.000 will be dedicated to strengthening provincial nurseries, key resources for supplying plants and trees for reforestation and public gardening projects.
The provincial government is also mindful of the economic and social impact of these initiatives. €2,2 million will be allocated to support tourism promotion in the region and local festivals , recognizing that improvements to infrastructure, the landscape, and services also contribute to strengthening the province's image and boosting the economy in rural areas.
Improvement of the provincial road network and road safety
The third major area of ​​action focuses on mobility. An initial investment of €18,3 million is planned for the provincial road network by 2026 , which could increase during the year through the incorporation of treasury surpluses, primarily to finance projects under the so-called VÃa-ble Plan.
Of those 18,3 million euros, 14,7 million will be allocated to a new road surface reinforcement plan for 17 roads —aimed at improving approximately 50 kilometers—as well as structural improvement works on eight other provincial roads. The objective is to address deteriorated sections and areas with safety or stability issues in a combined manner.
Among the most notable projects is the rehabilitation and stabilization of the MA-7401 roadbed , the access road to Benaoján from Ronda, which will have a budget of €3,7 million. The MA-3107, which connects Benamargosa and Riogordo, will also be repaired with an investment of €1,4 million.
Another important project will be the one aimed at resolving drainage problems on the MA-3113, which connects the A-356 with Benamargosa as it passes through the Triana district of Vélez-Málaga. Nearly €600.000 has been allocated for this project. These interventions address problem areas identified in the drainage network , where rainwater has been causing issues on the road surface.
The plan also includes investments in other provincial roads: 478.500 euros for drainage improvements and road surface repairs on the MA-4100, in Villanueva del Trabuco; 411.589,45 euros for the improvement of ditches and barriers on the MA-3108 , from Benamargosa to Cútar; and 372.000 euros to repair a section of the old MA-436 in the municipality of Casabermeja.
In the area of ​​traffic management, €289.275 has been allocated for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of the MA-6414 and A-7201 roads in Villanueva de Algaidas, in order to improve safety and traffic flow. Additionally, €269.999,98 will be invested in improving the drainage network of the MA-4403 road in Bobadilla Estación.
Beyond these specific actions, the Provincial Council will allocate €2 million for the upkeep and maintenance of the provincial road network , which spans approximately 860 kilometers. This work includes regular pothole repair, ditch cleaning, vegetation clearing, and minor repairs, all essential to prevent the accelerated deterioration of the roads.
These figures are in addition to approximately €1,6 million for specific road safety measures , such as replacing safety barriers, improving horizontal and vertical signage, and carrying out targeted interventions on problematic sections. The aim is for road surface improvements to be accompanied by measures that reduce the risk of accidents.
The investment package planned by the Málaga Provincial Council for 2026 outlines a scenario in which water, renewable energy, and internal mobility become the cornerstones of provincial action. With €60,3 million focused on these areas within a total budget of €77,8 million for the Infrastructure and Sustainable Territory department, the institution aims to move towards a more connected province, better prepared for climate change and with modernized basic services, especially in inland municipalities that depend more heavily on support from the regional government.
