The challenge
Water and energy are fundamental pillars for economic and social development worldwide and they are inextricably linked: Water is needed for different stages of energy production and energy is required to extract, supply, distribute and treat water and wastewater. As global demand for both energy and water is set to increase significantly over the coming years, this interdependency will have significant implications for both energy and water security.
The future
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the water sector’s energy consumption is projected to more than double by 2040. However, a rise in water demand does not necessarily have to mean an equal rise in energy consumption. If the existing potentials of energy efficiency and energy recovery in the water sector are utilised, the sector’s energy consumption can actually be reduced by 15 percent in 2040.