Coal-fired power plants globally consume enough water to supply the needs of one billion people, and consumption is set to rise, according to a report by environmental group Greenpeace. The research, published on World Water Day, found that coal plants globally consume 19 billion cubic metres of water per year. As of the end of 2013 there were 8,359 installed coal plant units, amounting to 1811GW installed capacity, and 2,668 proposed units, totalling 1300GW proposed capacity globally. The report warned that, if these plants come online, water withdrawal is set to increase by 32 billion cubic metres per year and consumption by 17 billion cubic metres per year.
Utility Week 22nd March 2016 read more »