Based on modelling and country cases, as this report clearly demonstrates, coal-fired power plants are highly water-intensive. Each new plant will lock-in high water use for decades to come, adding tangible water stress to the region in which it is located. Because energy production is often equated with industrial activities and hence GDP growth, coal plants are often given priority access to water resources. However, as illustrated in chapter 5 the consequences on the water catchments are not sufficiently considered, leading to conflicts between the use of water for energy, for other industries and agriculture.
