Economic, social and political agents of the Penedès have shown this Thursday their support for the project Agroparc what drives the group Ametller Origin. More than a hundred companies, business organizations, unions and mayors in the area have presented a manifesto to promote the agri-food cluster, which will involve an investment of 180 million euros and the creation of more than 3,000 jobs. According to Josep Ametller, CEO of the Ametller group, the accumulated delay in the planned schedule is currently four months, as a result of a slower administrative process than expected, but he assures that “it is still feasible to meet the planned deadlines and build 80% of the Agroparc before December 2025”. He considers that despite the difficulties in undertaking the project, he is “satisfied” with how the administrative procedures are beginning to evolve.
“The act of support from the region has been spectacular in the act organized by the Federació d’Empresaris del Penedès i Garraf, since 90% of the civil and business society of Penedès, Garraf and Anoia have been present”, Ametller has valued, with special mention to the union representatives of the CCOO and UGT and political representatives of the main municipalities in the area.
The future agricultural industrial center will be located between Gelida and Sant Llorenç d’Hortons. The Penedès Business Federation considers that the project represents a valuable contribution to economic revitalization in a field of technified agriculture that respects the environment and has a great future.
The initial plan had to start the civil works in 2023, have the facilities finished by the end of 2024 and be operational in 2025. The slowdown in the procedures, basically due to environmental demands and the opposing positions of environmental groups, has forced expectations to cool down . But it is crucial that the necessary permits are ready so that the Ametller group can program the financing channels and also process possible European aid that, given the technological nature of the project, it would undoubtedly receive. The Strategic Projects for the Recovery and the Economic Transformation (PERTE) Agri-food or energy should cover an important part of the investment.
The Agroparc could be the private investment that has ever been made in the Penedès region. It will integrate agriculture, agribusiness and renewable energy generation capacity on land with an area of approximately
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There will be land for technified agriculture and a part of ecological vineyard. The idea is to install fields with high rotation and productivity equipped with sensors designed from the first designs. The models to imitate are those of some farms in northern Europe, but with the advantage of a much more benign climate.
The support manifesto has been signed by Pro Vegueria Penedès, Institut Agrícola Català de Sant Isidre, Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya, Bodegues Torres, Vallformosa, Novell, La Granja, Juve & Camps, Embotits Mitjans, Agromillora, Fundació Mas Albornà, Simón Coll, Fruits Secs Torra, Cudié, Cartronatges Font, Gala Media, Agrosmart Robotics, Maribel, ADQA, Marendis, Sirius Consulting, Gerosa, Nicolas, Ondunova, Cales de Pachs, Caravaning, Castell d’Or, Onyvacoofee, Pubill, FECA, Bardinet, Gràfiques Impres Rápid, Electro Stocks, Celler de Can Suriol del Castell, Requejo installers, Ventura Painters, JJ Fusters, Fustes Montgros, Fustes Esteve, Tot Elevació, Mecano Penedès, Güell, EMB, Eminox, SALTOKI, Tallers SOLER, Grup CHÉ, Requejo Instal-ladors, Roicar, Grup Entrem, Enginyeria Santi Mestres, Bardinet, Merca Eleva, Pimexa, XTA, Pinord, Caves Viladellops, Isolana or Distriplac.