Spatial variances of water-energy nexus in China and its implications for provincial resource interdependence

Abstract

China's water and energy sectors are both facing challenges induced by uneven distribution of supply and demand. On top of that, the two sectors are intertwined together, further exaggerating the country's water and energy stresses. This study conducts a quantitative analysis to estimate water for energy and energy for water at the provincial level in China using a bottom-up approach. It also examines the provincial interdependence of resource from a nexus perspective. The results show strong geographical variances. In 2014, the water for energy ranged from the highest of 3483 million m3 in Sichuan to the lowest of 72 million m3 in Hainan. Concerning the energy for water, Jiangsu had the largest with 12.6 TWh, while Tibet ranked the lowest with only 8 TWh. Moreover, the inter-provincial water and energy transfer is causing a vicious cycle of resource over-exploitation. It is urgent to integrate the water and energy management during policymaking and regional planning. Efforts should also be made to improve the provincial self-sufficiency through demand-side conservation and supply diversification.