Pakistan’s water–energy nexus: Insights from integrated systems modeling

A recent study published in Engineering has shed light on Pakistan’s water–energy challenges through an integrated systems modeling approach. The research, led by Riaz Ahmad, Gengyuan Liu and other researchers, combines the Long-Range Energy Alternatives Planning (LEAP) and Water Evaluation and Planning System (WEAP) models to explore potential strategies for managing the intertwined water and energy resources in Pakistan.

The study comes at a crucial time as Pakistan faces significant water scarcity and energy crises. The country’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels, with imported oil contributing to high costs, and the escalating water scarcity issue, as water availability per capita has dropped significantly over the years, highlight the urgency of finding sustainable solutions.

The researchers developed a LEAP–WEAP integrated model for Pakistan. In the LEAP model, an energy demand module was constructed, considering five key economic sectors. The WEAP model was used to develop a water demand module, with different methods for predicting water demands in various sectors. The two models were then coupled to form a water–energy nexus framework, which takes into account the supply and demand aspects of both energy and water systems and their interconnections.

The team also designed multiple scenarios, including business-as-usual (BAU) and conservation-focused scenarios. In the BAU scenario, energy and water consumption were projected to increase steadily. However, under conservation scenarios, significant savings could be achieved. For example, national energy-saving initiatives could lead to substantial energy savings in different sectors by 2050. Water-conservation efforts also showed potential, but with varying impacts on energy consumption. In some cases, water-saving measures led to energy savings, while in others, such as in the agricultural and industrial sectors, they led to increased energy use.

The study also evaluated the combined impact of energy–water saving measures. By 2050, these measures could potentially save a significant amount of energy and water. However, challenges remain in implementing these measures, including financial constraints, institutional deficiencies, and policy-implementation issues.

In conclusion, the research provides valuable insights into Pakistan’s water–energy nexus. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies that balance energy conservation, water-saving efforts, and sustainable development. While the integrated modeling shows promise in identifying potential solutions, overcoming the existing challenges will be key for Pakistan to achieve its resource-related goals.

The paper “Integrated Systems Modeling for Assessing the Water–Energy Nexus in Pakistan: Lessons Learned From Coupling LEAP–WEAP Planning Approaches,” is authored by Riaz Ahmad, Gengyuan Liu, Syed Aziz Ur Rehman, Yuan Gao, Fanxin Meng, Xuanru Zhou, Bojie Liu, Silvio Cristiano. Full text of the open access paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2025.02.013. For more information about Engineering, visit the website at https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/engineering.