Study Highlights Underestimated Investment Needs for Zero Emission Grid by 2050

**A recent study points out that achieving zero emissions by 2050 is vastly underestimated in terms of required investments, especially in the Western United States, due to climate change's impact on water resources.** Changes in water availability could decrease hydropower, a critical energy source, by up to 23% by 2050, while electricity demand may rise by 2%, particularly during summer, compounding impact. To adapt, the region might need to establish up to 139 gigawatts of power capacity and 13 gigawatts in transmission capacity from 2030 to 2050, requiring up to $150 billion in investment. These projections came from a study involving Canadian and U.S. researchers, linking water and electricity systems. **Under various modeled climate scenarios**, hydropower shortfalls will necessitate a diverse mix of renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, battery storage, and geothermal power. **Increased cooling needs** in locations like California, Nevada, and Arizona will spike electricity demand. Moreover, the study emphasizes the importance of considering climate change and water dynamics in grid planning to prevent the underestimation of resources required for decarbonization and grid stability.