Desalination of Seawater Using Geothermal Energy for Food and Water Security: Arab and Sub-Saharan Countries

Desalination of Seawater Using Geothermal Energy for Food and Water Security: Arab and Sub-Saharan Countries

Future war will be fought for water. The number of water stressed countries around the world is increasing exponentially with growing population and demand for food. This especially true with respect to Gulf Cooperation Council, Middle East and North Africa, and sub-Saharan countries. Food imports by these countries will exceed > 100 million tons from current 68 million tons. Countries are craving to get into virtual water trade to secure food. These countries have ample geothermal energy resources lying unexploited. An excellent example is Kenya which is able to generate 1228 million kWh electricity from geothermal and another 27,800 million kWh is waiting to be developed. Other countries too have similar geothermal resources waiting to be developed. Governments should adopt suitable energy policies and given priority to develop geothermal energy. The desalinated water could be sold at < US$ 1.6/1000 L (without any hidden cost unlike fossil fuel-supported desalination plants which needs environmental cleanup due to CO2 emissions) in future once geothermal energy is put into operation in desalination process. Future generation can mitigate issues related to CO2 emissions and meet growing freshwater requirement.