India's Power Sector Targets 84% Water Savings by 2030 with Renewables
A joint policy brief by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) has set ambitious targets for India's power sector to reduce water usage and consumption by 2030. The brief, launched at the World Future Energy Summit 2018 in Abu Dhabi, highlights the potential of renewable energy to lower water demand and carbon emissions in the country's power sector.
Currently, over four-fifths of India's electricity is generated from coal, gas, and nuclear power plants, which heavily rely on freshwater for cooling. The power sector's share in national water consumption is projected to grow significantly, from 1.4% in 2025 to 9% by 2050. The new policy brief finds that increasing solar PV and wind power, along with improved cooling technologies, could decrease water withdrawal intensity by up to 84% by 2030 compared to 2014 levels. This transformation could also lower annual water consumption intensity by 25% and reduce carbon emissions intensity by 43%. Renewable energy is thus essential for India's energy future to tackle both water demand and carbon emissions.
The joint policy brief by IRENA and WRI sets specific goals for India's 2030 electricity water use and consumption, aiming to significantly reduce water withdrawals and consumption by shifting towards renewable energy sources like solar and wind. These targets are tailored to different decarbonization scenarios and include improving water efficiency and minimizing freshwater use in power plants through technology and policy measures.
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