Electricity consumption in the municipal water sector in an oil-exporting, water-stressed country: the case of Bahrain

Strong linkages exist between water and energy in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which are characterized by water scarcity and energy abundance. Dependence on fossil fuels for seawater desalination results in a high carbon footprint for municipal water production and treatment. Yet, quantification of how much energy is used is lacking. This paper aims to quantify the electricity consumption in the municipal water sector in Bahrain and investigate how water conservation contributes to electricity saving and climate change mitigation. Results revealed that around 8% of total electricity consumption in Bahrain is water-related, of which 89% is consumed in water desalination. A comparison of electricity-use performance indicators with existing global practices revealed the potential for energy efficiency improvements. Future scenarios demonstrate an increase of 27% in water demand in 2040 compared to 2019. Reducing the water demand can result in cumulative savings of 6,200 GWh of electricity, 1,800 million normal m(3) of natural gas, and 4,300 Gg of CO(2)e emissions. Electricity demand should be considered in informing technology choices when planning new desalination and wastewater treatment plants. For existing plants, mandatory adoption of an energy system and raising awareness on the water-energy nexus are critical.