Global water consumption in the energy sector by fuel and power generation type in the Stated Policies Scenario, 2021 and 2030

Notes

Water consumption is defined as the volume withdrawn that is not returned to the source (i.e. is evaporated or transported to another location) and is by definition no longer available for other users. Water requirements are quantified for “source-to-carrier” primary energy production (oil, gas, coal and hydrogen), a definition which includes production, processing and transport. Water withdrawals and consumption for bioenergy account for the irrigation of dedicated feedstock and water use for processing. For electricity generation, freshwater requirements are for the operational phase, including cleaning, cooling and other process related needs; water used for the production of input fuels is excluded. Renewables includes biomass, solar PV, concentrated solar power, wind and geothermal.