# Water-Energy Nexus — How Water and Energy Depend on Each Other

**URL:** https://thecodex.expert/energy/water-nexus/
**Session:** 28 | **Date:** 2026-05-05

## Summary

Water-energy nexus: energy production uses enormous water (thermoelectric cooling), and water supply uses enormous energy (pumping, treatment, desalination). ~4% of global electricity consumed by water sector. Thermoelectric cooling: once-through 1,000-2,000 L/MWh withdrawals, evaporative 400-900 L/MWh consumption. USA thermoelectric = 41% of all freshwater withdrawals (USGS). Lake Mead (36.02N 114.73W) fell to 1,040 ft in 2022 — restricting Hoover Dam 2,074 MW output. 2022 European drought: Rhine (50.94N 6.96E), Loire (47.08N 1.21E), Rhône fell — France cut nuclear output ~30% (insufficient/warm cooling water). Desalination: Ras Al Khair Saudi Arabia (27.10N 49.50E, 1.025 Mm³/day, world's largest), Sorek Israel (31.94N 34.74E, 627,000 m³/day), Chennai SWRO (13.08N 80.30E, 100 MLD), Nemmeli (12.82N 80.30E). SWRO: 3-4 kWh/m³, MSF: 10-15 kWh/m³. Renewables dramatically reduce water consumption vs thermoelectric. Sources: IEA Water-Energy Nexus 2016, IDA Desalination Yearbook 2024, USGS.