The water, land, and carbon intensity of electricity production: The case of South Africa.

Electricity production has a significant impact on the Water-Energy-Food nexus sectors as it requires substantial amounts of water and land, whilst also being a primary polluter of these resources. In addition, electricity production is a key contributor to global carbon emissions. With electricity production predicted to increase by over 50% by 2050, the impact of electricity production on water and land resources, as well as on carbon emissions, will need to be significantly reduced. This is particularly important in countries facing water, energy, and food scarcity and insecurity, such as South Africa. This paper therefore investigates the impact of electricity production on the Water-Energy-Food nexus sectors and on carbon emissions in South Africa. To do this, we conduct a lifecycle assessment of the water and land required for electricity production, as well as its carbon emissions in South Africa, by electricity source, and under key scenarios. The results from the Integrated Resource Plan 2030 scenario show that despite a 34% increase in electricity production targeted from 2018 to 2030 in South Africa, the water and land requirements, and the carbon emissions of electricity production would decrease by 29%, 9%, and 5.5%, respectively. Compared to the Business-as-Usual 2030 scenario, it was shown that the water and land requirements and carbon emissions of electricity production would be 55.5%, 42.6%, and 41.5% lower in the Integrated Resource Plan 2030 scenario, respectively. Overall, the results show that to reduce the impact of electricity production on the Water-Energy-Food nexus sectors and on carbon emissions, switching away from fossil fuels (particularly coal), and promoting the use of non-hydro and non-biomass renewables is required. [Display omitted] • We quantify the water and land requirements, and carbon emissions, of electricity. • In 2018, it required 312 Gl of water, 929 km2 land, and emitted 152MtCO₂eq. • If the electricity mix does not change, all impacts will increase by 63% by 2030. • With planned changes, the impacts could decrease by 29%, 9%, and 5.5%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]