Water shortages across the globe threatens the development of energy projects, the World Bank has warned.

It is launching an initiative – ‘Thirsty Energy’ – to help governments prepare for an “uncertain future” to ensure sustainability of energy and water investments and design tools to better plan and manage them.

Last year water shortages shut down thermal power plants in India, decreased energy production in power plants in the US and “threatened hydropower generation” in many countries like Brazil, China and Sri Lanka, it said.

Rachel Kyte, World Bank Group Vice President and Special Envoy for Climate Change added: “The world’s energy and water are inextricably linked. With demand rising for both resources and increasing challenges from climate change, water scarcity can threaten the long-term viability of energy projects and hinder development.

“We cannot meet our global energy goals of extending access to the poor, increasing efficiency and expanding renewables without water. The water energy interrelationship is critical to build resilient as well as efficient, clean energy systems. The time to act is now.”

The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecast global energy usage to rise by 35% by 2035, which means an 85% increase in water consumption.