The Energy–Water Nexus: Powering the Transition Without Draining Water

Energy and water are tightly linked. Power generation, hydrogen production, mining and refining all need water, while pumping, treatment and desalination all need energy. As both systems come under pressure, they increasingly have to be planned together. The energy transition adds to this. Green hydrogen, lithium extraction and thermal and nuclear cooling are water-intensive, and much of this capacity is planned in water-stressed regions. At the same time, cleaner and cheaper power makes energy-intensive water solutions such as desalination and treatment more viable. The question is how to build the clean-energy system without straining water, and how energy can help secure water in return. The discussion will focus on where energy and water stress intersect, how the transition can be made water-secure, and where integrated planning and technology can serve both systems at once.