Use of Renewable Energy Sources for Water Desalination in Crete, Greece: A PESTEL analysis

The increasing water scarcity in many countries requires the development of new sources for water production. Water desalination with reverse osmosis consists of a method producing potable water with increasing applications in many countries. Although it is energy intensive technology the current advances in membranes’ technology have decreased the energy consumption and the production cost of the desalinated water. Although fossil fuels are the main fuels used in water desalination plants the use of solar and wind electricity is a challenging option particularly in areas with high solar and wind energy potential. The island of Crete, Greece is foreseen to face water shortages in the future for several reasons while it has abundant solar and wind energy resources. Sea water desalination using membranes technology powered by solar and wind electricity is an attractive option for Crete to cope with water scarcity in the future. Although there are several challenges a PESTEL analysis indicates that the external environment favors the development of water desalination plants in Crete powered by solar and wind electricity. Our results could be useful to policy makers, to municipalities, to water management authorities and to agricultural unions in the island which depend on water resources.