The Water-Energy Equation

In 1994, Peter Gleick defined the intricate relationship between water and energy as this: “We use energy to help us clean and transport the fresh water we need, and we use water to help us produce the energy we need.” In the Pacific region, where diesel fuel is the primary electricity generation fuel, the water-energy nexus goes further. Globally, large quantities of water are needed to produce the fuel required to electrify the Pacific region. The prevalence of piped water systems in the Pacific region depends on a country’s electrification rate. Renewable energy technologies can increase rural electrification rates. A positive statistically significant relationship exists between a country’s electrification rate and the prevalence of piped drinking water systems, which gives hope that adopting aggressive renewable energy and climate policies will lead to greater access to improved drinking water sources across the Pacific region.