Climate change and CCS increase the water vulnerability of China's thermoelectric power fleet

Large numbers of China's thermal power plants are in water-stressed regions. Changes the availability water resources due to climate change may impact vulnerability regional and national electricity generation. Here we explore this for coal-fired units (CPUs) as generation-type most exposed risk. We find many already experiencing scarcity 120–176 GW capacity will be at least one additional month per year 2030s. In absence carbon capture storage (CCS) useable CPUs increase slightly, mainly an northern China under all scenarios except RCP8.5. However, CCS systems have been identified essential roadmap neutrality their use represents high requirements. The addition significantly exacerbates vulnerability, leading further useable-capacity reductions 7.4–7.7%. assess several adaptations that early retirement is effective, with interregional transmission also playing important mitigating role. Our work highlights need improved awareness planning.