Inauguration of one of the new weather radars, located in Almagro (Ciudad Real), at the Coronel Sánchez Bilbao Base.
The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) is engaged in an ambitious project to renew, expand, and modernise its network of radars, which is essential for the continuous, effective, and sustainable monitoring of weather and climate conditions, and especially for tracking extreme precipitation. The core element of this project is the complete renewal of the existing 15 radar units and the deployment of three additional new units, all strategically located across the country to ensure adequate coverage. The project also includes the reinforcement and adaptation of the 15 existing infrastructures and auxiliary support systems, as well as the construction of the three new stations.
In this regard, the open ceremony of one of the new weather radars has been held, the one located in Almagro (Ciudad Real), at the Coronel Sánchez Bilbao Base. This radar will improve coverage of a wide area in the southeast and centre of the Peninsula and will complement the information provided by the existing radars. The station consists of a 23-metre high metal tower on top of which the meteorological radar equipment, weighing more than a tonne, has been installed. At the base of the tower, there are prefabricated modules of 30 m² that house the rooms for the auxiliary and control systems.
Under the direction of AEMET, Ineco has drafted both the projects for these new stations and the refurbishment of the fifteen existing stations. The company is also overseeing the related construction works (eight of which have already been completed) and supporting AEMET in monitoring the supply contract for the 18 new radars, including FAT and SAT testing, as well as supervising the dismantling of existing radars and the installation of the new units.
The 18 radars are at the forefront of the latest technological advances, not only in terms of their own elements such as dual polarisation, but they also feature advanced radar data exploitation and visualisation software that enables the development of products and applications representing a significant qualitative leap. The supporting infrastructure has been equipped with the latest advancements in digitalization, remote facility control, and security, while also being designed to achieve high levels of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
