In 2023, Russia led global fresh surface water abstractions for electricity production (cooling only), with 16.97 billion cubic meters. Spain and Poland followed with values of 5.55 and 5.02 billion cubic meters, respectively. Russia and Poland experienced declines, with year-on-year rates of -1.8% and -2.61% in 2023. Estonia and Latvia recorded the highest decreases, at -13.68% and -27.71%. During the past five years, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) showed an average decline in most countries, with only slight increases in regions like Spain and Mexico.
Looking ahead, future trends to watch include the impact of climate policies and technological advancements on water usage efficiency in electricity production. The shift towards renewable energy sources may also influence water usage patterns, potentially reducing reliance on freshwater abstractions for cooling. Regional water scarcity issues might further drive investment in dry or hybrid cooling technologies, especially in countries experiencing significant abstraction declines.
Top countries in Fresh Surface Water Abstractions for Electricity Production (Cooling Only) by Country
| # | 9 Countries | Million Cubic Meters | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Russia | 16,970 | 2023 | -0.79% | -1.8% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Spain | 5,550 | 2023 | +0.66% | +0.58% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Poland | 5,020 | 2023 | -1.82% | -2.61% | View data |
| 4 | 4 Mexico | 3,750 | 2023 | +1.59% | +0.23% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Belgium | 2,150 | 2023 | -3.52% | -0.81% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Slovenia | 719.41 | 2023 | +0.026% | -0.65% | View data |
| 7 | 7 Estonia | 626.31 | 2023 | -1.29% | -13.68% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Greece | 90.44 | 2023 | -0.6% | -1.77% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Latvia | 0.46 | 2023 | -17.86% | -27.71% | View data |
