Thirsty nuclear
Several countries are reconsidering using nuclear power to reduce emissions and increase energy supply security. Although many of the downsides of nuclear power are well-known to the public, such as the potential for tragic accidents and the issue of long-term storage of toxic waste created in the process, a less obvious downside is the nuclear power’s water intensity. Indeed, close to 40 million cubic meters of water are needed for each TWh of energy produced. That water needs to be first heated into steam to make electricity, and then cooled back down into water, with more water used in the cooling process. This high demand for water, alongside high demand in industrial, agricultural and domestic applications, would further exacerbate the gap between demand and supply of water in the years to come.
Source: Robeco, Morgan Stanley Research, June 2024.