Thermoelectric Power Generation and Water Stress in India: A Spatial and Temporal Analysis

This study aims to reveal the status quo and future trend of thermoelectric water use and water stress in India. We compiled a bottom-up geo-database for all thermal power plants in India and identified the type of cooling technology used. We then estimated thermoelectric water withdrawal and water consumption in India from 2009 to 2018 and projected future trends in thermoelectric water use up to 2027 using the integrated power planning and dispatch model, SWITCH-India. Results show that thermoelectric power generation in India is not a major source of water stress in most basins until 2027. Freshwater withdrawal varied from 14 to 16 billion m3 during the study period, while freshwater consumption increased with growing thermal power generation. The catchment in the middle of the Ganga River basin has the largest freshwater withdrawal and consumption. The volume of water withdrawal accounts for less than 1% of blue water availability in most catchments. It is also likely that a larger proportion of power generation and water withdrawal will occur in catchments that are under lower water stress in the future. Policy interventions should target stressed catchment areas and improve the resilience of thermal power plants to outages due to water stress.