site.btaMEP Kabilov Warns EU High-Tech Expansion Will Triple Water Consumption
Independent MEP of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms Taner Kabilov said that the expected accelerated growth of high-tech industries in the European Union will lead to more than a threefold increase in water consumption. He was speaking at the opening of the conference “Water and Security: National Solutions to Critical Challenges with European Support”, held on Friday at the Sofia Balkan Palace hotel in Bulgaria's capital.
Kabilov stressed that water and security are among Bulgaria’s leading national priorities, which are also strongly supported at the European level. He noted that, for the first time during the current mandate of the European Commission, water policy has been designated a strategic priority, while water-related sustainable development has been set as a key pillar of the EU’s medium-term vision strategy.
Europe is one of the fastest-warming continents, and 2024 was among the most difficult years for the Union due to floods, droughts, and other climate-related disasters, he said. “Unfortunately, we are already seeing similar events again this year,” he added.
The MEP highlighted that growing investments in innovation, technology, data centres, semiconductor and chip production, and green hydrogen infrastructure will significantly increase pressure on water resources. “The sector is expected to grow up to fivefold, and water consumption more than threefold,” Kabilov said, warning that this would come on top of existing pressures and rising demand for water.
He underscored the need for a coordinated approach between the EU level and national executive, legislative, and local authorities in order to find sustainable solutions for water resource management and future crisis response.
The conference is focused on challenges in the water sector, local needs and capacities, and possible solutions for infrastructure modernization in the context of the EU cohesion policy midterm review and the European Water Resilience Strategy.
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