China has huge potential for water and emissions efficiency: IRENA report

Scaling up renewable energy and introducing improved plant cooling technologies in China's power sector can reduce water-intensity up to 42 percent and emissions-intensity up to 37 percent by 2030, said the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) here on Wednesday.

The findings were published in a new joint brief by the Abu Dhabi-based IRENA and China Water Risk, a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to addressing environmental and business risks.

The brief, "Water Use in China's Power Sector," examines the expected impact of China's power sector on water and climate by 2030. It finds renewable energy is crucial not only to de-carbonize the sector, but also to realize dramatic water-related benefits for the country.

China has pledged to reduce carbon emissions by sourcing 20 percent of primary energy consumption from non-fossil fuels by 2030. IRENA's REmap analysis on China, released in late 2014, finds that achieving a 26 percent share of modern renewables by 2030 is both technically and economically feasible.

The global issues of water, energy and climate are completely interconnected, said IRENA director-general Adnan Z. Amin.

He said the only effective and immediately available solution to meet the rising demand for energy while limiting environmental impacts is "to scale up renewable energy. China has recognized this and must continue its leadership in the global energy transition."

The IRENA is mandated as the global hub for renewable energy cooperation and information exchange by 144 members states and the European Union. Endit