EU Cooling Power Plants Accounted for 36% of Water Abstraction from 2000 to 2022
From 2000 to 2022, cooling power plants in the EU accounted for 36% of total water abstraction, with significant variations among member countries. The International Energy Agency noted that global water withdrawals for electricity and fuel production reached about 370 billion cubic meters in 2021, projected to increase to 400 billion by 2030, primarily due to cooling needs. While the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference aims to boost renewable energy capacity, challenges such as climate impacts and high water usage in mining remain critical concerns for water resource management.
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From 2000 to 2022, cooling power plants in the EU utilized 36% of total water abstraction, with variations among countries. The International Energy Agency reported that global water withdrawals for electricity and fuel production reached approximately 370 billion cubic meters in 2021, primarily for cooling thermal and nuclear power plants.
This figure is projected to rise to 400 billion cubic meters by 2030. Electricity generation is the largest consumer of water in the energy sector, accounting for about 10% of total global freshwater withdrawals.
The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference aims to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030, which could reduce water resource exploitation. However, challenges remain, including the impact of the climate crisis on the water cycle and high water usage in mining for critical minerals. Technologies like green hydrogen production and Carbon Capture and Storage also require significant water resources, complicating efforts to manage water scarcity.
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