The “Sahara Wind-HVDC project’s transition to clean energy, water and global food security” presented at the "Water-Energy-Food Nexus Implementation in the Mashreq" Workshop in Beirut, Lebanon
Organized on September 24-26th 2018 by the Middle East Desalination Research Center (MEDRC) and the Konrad- Adenauer-Stiftung Regional Program Energy Security and Climate Change Middle East and North Africa (REMENA) under the auspice of the Ministry of Energy & Water of Lebanon, this workshop analyzed the links between water, energy and agricultural sectors. Given the constraints and strong interdependencies between these sectors, integrated approaches to develop effective strategies in the sustainable use of these resources were presented and discussed. On the basis of consistent water policy and governance, the Water-Energy-Food Nexus can leverage significant investments in the Mashreq region.
The Workshop's program is available under:
Water use is indispensably related to food production, and energy generation. Such complex interactions define the “Water-Energy-Food Nexus” (WEF Nexus), which is more and more central to water policy analysis and design everywhere. Water resources are particularly limited and vulnerable to pollution and weather extremes in the Mashreq countries. Yet, environmental protection is still considered partly in conflict with economic growth. The integrated perspective provided by the WEF Nexus may help meeting the needs of water use, by stimulating appropriate investments in the Mashreq region, on the basis of consistent and effective water policy and water governance.
The WEF nexus framework is particularly suited to the Mashreq region given the stressors, constraints and strong interdependencies between sectors. It is further necessitated by the cross-cutting effect of climate change predicted for the region. Understanding the dynamics of the water, energy and food sectors is essential for developing effective strategies in the sustainable use of these resources.
This theme focus analyzed how global change affects the links between the water, energy and agricultural sector. Questions how future changes in climate and water demand will affect trade-offs and synergies between water for energy and food have been dealt with.
The MEDRC Water Research Center of Oman organized in cooperation with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation of Germany, and under the auspices of Dr. Fadi Comair, Director General of Hydraulic and Electrical Resources of the Ministry of Energy & Water of Lebanon, a 2-days regional workshop (plus half a day for a technical visit to Chabrouh Dam). The event gathered renowned international experts together with representatives from the Ministries and other players of water, energy and agriculture in the Mashreq countries.
This international workshop provided an opportunity to transfer knowledge and help implement the WEF concept in Mashreq countries.
The workshop highlighted several aspects of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus: (Water regulation and policies, Water resources and sustainable development goals SDGs, Desalination and the use of renewables, Wastewater treatment, Renewable and sustainable energy resources, integrated energy-water planning, Energy efficiency, Solar and wind energy potential, water use efficiency and water productivity in agriculture).
The objectives of this Workshop were to:
- bring in experience on competition, synergies and priorities among sectoral water usages and stakeholders in the Mashreq region and address trade-off solutions on how we are going to allocate water in the future.
- share best practices bridging the gaps between governments, communities and business concerning collaboration among water users that result into water cost reduction
- discuss how policies in the Mashreq region can be improved by a Water Nexus perspective in order to create opportunities for green economic growth and achieve the SDGs
