abstract
Coal is China's most important primary energy source, and is supporting the rapid economic growth
going on there. However, the reverse geographical distribution of coal production and consumption
results in a high cost of coal transportation and low efficiency of coal utilization. To ease the pressure on
coal transportation, and to mitigate pollution in eastern coastal regions, China has kicked off a strategic
westeeast transfer of energy industries that requires the movement of coal power projects to the arid
northwest regions. Under this strategic framework, the regulation is focused on “clean production”,
“consumption reduction” and “reuse”, rather than conservation and protection of water resources. This
study found that the northwest areas are unable to accommodate fully the planned scale of coal-fired
power industry. Moreover, the subsidiary chemical industry, even if the scale of electric power development
is determined according to the need for coal production, is problematic because the current
water demand for the coal industry has exceeded “allowed water withdrawal”. Given limited water
saving potential and the huge demand-and-supply gap, it is also unrealistic to balance water demand by
combination of water conservation in the power industry and water right diversion from agriculture. This
study on the synergies between energy and water is urgently needed, in order to provide scientific and
technological support for laying out new energy industries. A critical change should involve conciliation
of conflicting policies or plans before implementation begins.
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