The State has reduced public works contracts in Catalonia for three consecutive years: "We don't understand it"

BarcelonaThe lack of investment in commuter rail – both by Renfe, the train operator, and Adif, the railway infrastructure manager – has been mainly explained by the low rate of budget execution of the tendered investments, since the State invests in Catalonia. only one out of every two euros budgeted for railHowever, this investment deficit is also explained by the volume of tenders, that is, the money the State budgets upfront for works in Catalonia—whether or not they are ultimately carried out. This is confirmed by the 2025 annual tender report from the Catalan Chamber of Construction Contractors (CCOC), presented this Friday at a press conference. The study indicates that the State has been reducing tenders for works in Catalonia for three consecutive years, which has caused the share of central government tenders to fall from 24.7% to 15.5% in the last three years. This figure falls far short of Catalonia's state investment needs, which, according to CCOC President Lluís Moreno Lasalle, is less than half of what it "should be."

"The explanation? Would we get into politics? We need to be rigorous. Perhaps journalists should demand explanations for what isn't being put out to tender. Some things are reasonable: it's true there was the DANA storm in Valencia, and some money had to be diverted, but it wasn't a huge amount. This is manageable without creating shortages elsewhere. We don't understand why; it's incomprehensible why this state bid is being reduced," Moreno explained.

The cases of Renfe and Adif

The same chamber emphasized at the press conference that the current crisis in the rail and high-speed rail sector highlights the need to invest in and reverse the infrastructure investment deficit, both in new construction and maintenance, by all levels of government. "Maintenance is essential: for every three euros that should have been allocated in recent years, only one has been," Moreno insisted.

Investments by Adif and Renfe in Catalonia "have historically been low," primarily due to Adif's budget execution rate, which averages less than 50% for the 2010-2023 period. This equates to an accumulated deficit of €5.071 billion since 2010. "But in the last three years, that percentage has barely reached 30%," the Chamber states. Although Renfe's volume is smaller, since it does not tender for construction projects nor is it responsible for infrastructure maintenance, it has only executed 62.2% of its total budget since 2010.

"We can't say that accidents happen because there's no bidding, but accidents could be even more prevented—though some couldn't be—if more were invested in infrastructure maintenance," Moreno said. He highlighted the case of infrastructure systems like the commuter rail network, but also the need for water self-sufficiency so that the next drought isn't so devastating: "It's time to think about how to invest to prevent the next drought."

Generalitat and municipalities, on the rise

Despite this drop in state figures, public works tenders in Catalonia increased by 17.4% last year compared to 2024, reaching €4 billion. This increase was led by the Catalan government (27%) and local authorities (21.1%), which offset the decline in state investment, which fell by 6.9%. In quarterly terms, tenders in the fourth quarter increased compared to the third quarter of 2025, rising from €1,132.5 million to €1,173.9 million (+3.7%). By type of work, civil engineering led the growth in tenders, with a 26.8% increase compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching €2,066.8 million. The report highlights the increases in railway works tenders, with €459.1 million tendered (+83%), especially by the Generalitat (the Catalan government), which has tendered €344.3 million, and road and track works with €376.8 million, 52.3% more than in 2020. The State also noted the increase in the duplication of the Figueres bypass on the N-II highway.

"The Generalitat's compliance rate is around 80% on average, although 20% is still short, which isn't a disaster. It's possible that in one year it could reach 120%. The works are smaller, more immediate, and less disruptive," Moreno explained.

Unsuccessful tenders

By region, 75% of the investment was concentrated in the Barcelona area, while Tarragona received 14%, and Girona and Lleida 5% each. The main contracting authority is the Catalan Government's Infrastructure Department, with €674 million, followed by Barcelona Municipal Infrastructure, with €249 million. The Catalan Chamber of Construction Contractors has highlighted a rise in unsuccessful tenders and a drop in competition to four bidders per project. "The number of unsuccessful projects remains excessive, and competition is still far from European standards: half of the projects have fewer than four bidders," they stated.