Significance
The climate change impact is an important issue making the situation related to water risks become more severe in the future since water is a main driver for thermal power plants’ production processes, such as generating steam in a boiler, controlling temperatures in a cooling system, including air quality, and etc. Hence, the efficient management of water resources used in the production process and discharged water, both qualitatively and quantitatively, will help lessen the impacts on communities from limited freshwater resources, and from water quality problems possibly affect the environment. It also mitigates BPP’s risks associated with production costs, compliance with applicable laws, and community relations.
2025 Target
- Water consumption intensity ≤917 cubic meters/MWh
- Combined heat and power plants ≤868 cubic meters/MWh
- Gas-fired power plants ≤958 cubic meters/MWh
- Discharged water quality meets the legal standards
Management Approach
To ensure that its operations comply with good operating standards and meet the water quality requirements of each country, BPP has set a water use intensity in the production process and monitored performance against the annual targets. In addition, BPP has created a water system concept model for every power plant to be used for monitoring and managing water resources in a transparent and efficient manner. Thereby, the Water Management Hierarchy approach is used in managing water to achieve maximum benefit, as follows:
- Elimination: Cutting off water use in certain processes, which is considered as the first option if possible.
- Reduction: Taking action or trying to reduce water use in the process when water consumption cannot be eliminated.
- Direct reuse/outsourcing: Using water in many processes without going through a treatment process/purchasing water from outside manufacturers.
- Regeneration reuse/recycling: Water will go through a treatment process before being reused or recycled.
- Fresh water: Consider using fresh water when wastewater cannot be reused or recycled.
Since China’s CHP plants’ water sources for steam generation systems are from ground water and water supplied by external manufacturers, the water management is focused on recycling water as much as possible to reduce the amount of discharged water with quality complying with applicable laws. On the other hand, the gas-fired power plant in United States of America, uses water only from external producers supplying used water from the community to the power plant. In addition, large water storage ponds are in the power plants’ areas to treat and reuse water. Water is treated by using biological treatment methods, controlling the amount of algae and acidity-alkalinity, significantly helping reduce the amount of chemicals used in water treatment. This is to prepare water quality before entering the “Zero-Liquid Discharge” treatment system, making the water quality meet standards and be used in the power plant’s production processes. Such holistic water management makes the power plant have sufficient water reserves and do not release wastewater generated from their production into nearby natural water sources anymore.
To ensure that the water management is implemented while the released water quality is in accordance with applicable laws, BPP measures its water quality before being discharged to outside. The water quality measurement is conducted by BPP and external agencies. However, the types of pollutants measured, the frequency and measurement methodologies of each business unit may differ according to the requirements of each project and as required by laws in each area. Measures are in place to prevent chemical leakage and contamination at the original source. In addition, measures and procedures are determined in the event of any emergency so as to reduce impacts likely arising in the event of an incident regarding water resources and to be able to rehabilitate effectively in an appropriate time.
BPP reviews its assessment of water-related risks and impacts on an annual basis in order to understand water risks and impacts, such as risks related to water shortages, drought, and laws, etc. Moreover, the measures are prepared to mitigate risks and various inspections. The assessment is made by using the water risk map (Aqueduct) of the World Resources Institute (WRI).
BPP has integrated the power plants’ water risk assessment results into the organization’s risk assessment. The risk management measures are as follows:
| Topics | Risks Management Measures |
| Dependency-related water risks considered in risk assessment |
|
| Impact-related water risks considered in risk assessment. |
|
| Assessment of future water quantities available. |
|
| Assessment of future water quality related risks |
|
| Assessment of impacts on local stakeholders. |
|
| Assessment of future potential regulatory changes at a local level |
|
For BPP’s performance measurement, the business water use data is collected according to the GRI 303 (2018) standards to provide information for water management. The water drawn from water sources consists of the amount of surface water pumped from water sources, the amount of groundwater pumped for use, and the amount of water supplied by external agencies. This does not include the amount of rainfall in the area since BPP doesn’t use such precipitation. The data collected are based upon the assumption that local water reservoirs have a minimal capacity, when compared with the water amount drawn from all water sources. For all data of water amount are collected from water meters.
2025 Performance
- BPP withdrew a total of 13,314 megaliters of water from various sources, of which 6,286 megaliters were sourced from water-stressed areas. The Company recorded a water consumption intensity of 0.891 cubic meters/MWh, outperforming the target of ≤ 0.917 cubic meters/MWh by 2%. In addition, The Company effectively managed water discharge quality across all power plants, ensuring compliance with legal standards, with no incidents of chemical leaks into water sources reported.
- The water consumption intensity of combined heat and power plants in China was 0.853 cubic meters per MWh, outperforming the target of ≤ 0.868 cubic meters per MWh by 1.72%. This improvement resulted from initiatives to reduce water consumption and heat loss in the systems in compliance with China’s groundwater management regulations. Moreover, water was recycled through a treatment process for reuse to reduce water withdrawals from natural sources. 100% of discharged water was treated by licensed external water treatment service providers.
- The water consumption intensity of gas-fired power plants in the United States was 0.919 cubic meters/MWh, outperforming the target of ≤ 0.958 cubic meters/MWh by 4.1%. These plants use only reclaimed water from the community, with no discharge into external water sources.
- The Company has reviewed and established water consumption targets for 2026–2030.
Remarks: The performance of Temple Gas-fired Power Plant has been included since 2023.
Key Activities and Projects
Water Risks Assessment
BPP assesses water-related risks in all locations of its power plants, including those it has management control and the joint-venture power plants. BPP annually assesses risks relating to water by using the “WRI Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas (Aqueduct 4.0)”- a program demonstrating categories of areas with water resource risks, in terms of physical, quantity and quality, regulatory & reputational risks, as well as anticipating future risks, as a reference. The aim is to enable BPP to proactively manage risks and consider measures to reduce water consumption or improve water efficiency to be better.
The water scarcity risk assessment conducted in 2025 revealed that the water-related risk remains unchanged from that of the previous year. The assessment results and risk management measures can be summarized as follows:
- The CHP plants in China, namely Luannan Power Plant, Zhengding Power Plant, and Zouping Power Plant, are combined heat and power (CHP) plants. The assessment results have shown that all three CHP plants are located in extremely high risk of water stress area. BPP recognizes that CHP use large amounts of water during production, as they generate steam and chilled water. Previously, these CHP plants improved their water efficiency through various projects, such as reducing water use and discharges in compliance with government regulations, as well as designing the power plant extensions to be equipped with recycling systems so as to maximize water reuse.
- The power plants in the U.S. include Temple Combined Cycle Gas Turbines (CCGT) Power Plant and Ponder Solar Power Plant. The water risk assessment revealed that Temple CCGT Power Plant faces a moderate to high water–shortage risk. However, Temple Power Plant has employed a water recycling system within the plant, allowing it to reduce water consumption in the area and have zero wastewater discharge. Ponder Power Plant, which began commercial operations in August 2024, is exposed to significant water stress risks. However, water is not utilized as a component in its production process.
- The power plants in Thailand, such as BLCP Power Plant, a joint–venture thermal power plant, is at high risk of water shortage due to its location in a coastal area with limited freshwater resources. BLCP Power Plant has invested in constructing a Reverse Osmosis Seawater Desalination Plant (ROSDP), with a production capacity of 1,000 cubic meters per day to alleviate the water crisis in the Eastern region, ensuring sufficient water for the public and agriculture. Since 2020, BLCP Power Plant has not drawn any freshwater from the area for consumption.
The power plants in Lao PDR include HPC Power Plant, a joint–venture thermal power plant. HPC Power Plant was found to have a low risk of water shortage. The power plant has implemented a water management plan for its water sources, namely Nam Leuk and Nam Khan water sources. HPC Power Plant in collaboration with experts conducted studies by using simulation programs to forecast water balance in the area. Indicators of water levels were defined at various points for monitoring and determining appropriate measures. Furthermore, water reservoirs were constructed within the power plant’s area to control water quality and recycle water.
The application of advanced algorithms to optimize the Distributed Control System (DCS) in Zouping Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant
Zouping CHP Plant has developed a system to control a process of steam header system, which was previously highly complicated with numerous control variables affecting several controls. Most control equipment was operated solely through operator’s expertise, leading to potential errors and risks to safety, system stability, and operational efficiency. BPP, therefore, collaborated with external experts to enhance the system efficiency by applying algorithms or Advanced Process Control (APC) technology. The project commenced in January 2024, involving the installation of an APC server in boiler No. 5, and the development of an automated control program initiated based upon the operators’ knowledge and experience. Fully automated operation was successfully achieved in September 2024. The results of this project helped improve operational efficiency, reduce air pollution during startups, decrease the number of high-risk operations, and decrease incidents of overheating or shutdowns. The application of APC algorithm also helped in ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and developing the power plant to be more environmentally friendly. Additionally, it contributed to the enhancement of personnel expertise in developing advanced algorithms by facilitating knowledge exchange with local small-scale power plants.
Objectives
• Reduce reliance on expertise of operator-based control alone and improve DCS efficiency.
• Minimize safety risks and reduce system downtime.
• Lower air emissions from power plant operations.
Benefits
• Being able to reduce operating costs through a decrease of fuel and energy consumption, consisting of USD133,557 coal costs, USD 43,780 electricity costs, and labor costs from outsourcing operations of USD115,714.
• Reducing the amount of urea and limestone powder used for air quality control by 31.72 tonnes and 892.14 tonnes, respectively.
• Ensuring air quality to fully comply with air quality regulations and enhancing the power plant’s environmentally friendly operational reputation.
• Enhancing operational efficiency, being able to reduce the number of personnel responsible for plant operations from three persons to just one person.
Environmental Contributions
Based on the calculations of boiler efficiency enhancement compared to that of 2023, it showed that:
• Nitrogen oxides (NOx) lowered by 6%.
• Sulfur oxides (SO2) descended by 6%
• Particulate matter (PM) lessened by 6%.
• Mercury (Hg) declined by 6%.
• A reduction of 923.86 tonnes of chemical remediation agents used in the production process.
Social Contributions
• Being able to reduce risks associated with operational errors by more than 1,500 times.
• Promoting cooperation and knowledge exchange with small power plants in the nearby areas.
• Fostering strong community relationships and gaining acceptance regarding air quality control.
Improving Water Consumption Intensity and Heat Loss Rate of Zhengding Power Plant
The legal enforcement on using groundwater in the Chinese industrial sector has made Zhengding CHP Plant change its water use from groundwater to surface runoff. This has directly resulted in an increase in water costs by approximately 2 times.
Zhengding CHP Power Plant, however, has seen an opportunity to reduce water consumption and lost heat in the system to increase operational efficiency and reduce production costs. The power plant has designed and installed pipe and pump systems to circulate water use at its chemical storage plants and cooling towers.
The designed pump installation has resulted in a reduction of water withdrawal from surface water sources by approximately 280,000 tonnes, equivalent to the production costs of around USD 205,000. In addition, the investment costs for heating systems could be reduced by USD 27,453, while the heat loss costs have been decreased by USD 123,536 per year. This project is part of BPP’s project to promote innovation in organizations.
A Water Management System at Temple Gas-fired Power Plant
Temple Gas-fired Power Plant has a 10-acre (approximately 40,000 square meters) water reservoir within the power plant’s area to obtain water recycled from the wastewater treatment plant, serving surrounding communities. This recycled water is the main source of water, reducing wastewater discharges to nearby natural water bodies. It enables the power plant to have enough water for consumption. The cost of recycled water produced is lower than that of groundwater or other water sources.
Temple Gas-fired Power Plant initially treats the water with a biological methodology through raising fish eating plants and algae as food. Thus, these fish raised help to control the number of algae and the acidity and alkalinity of the water. As a result, it can significantly reduce the amount of chemicals used in water treatment. After that, the water treated is fed into the power plant’s Zero-Liquid Discharge (ZLD) treatment system to meet quality standards. It can be used in the production process of Temple Power Plant as well.
Through this holistic water management, Temple Gas-fired Power Plant has sufficient water reserves, and does not discharge its production’s wastewater into the Texas basin.
Benefits gained from the project
- As using biological methods to treat water, Temple I Power Plant can reduce chemical utilization – Sodium Hypochlorite (NaClO) for wastewater treatment, in the amount of 200 tonnes / year, or a cost reduction of approximately USD 48,912.
- Decreasing the amount of wastewater discharges of about 1.95 megalitres / year.
- Reducing the impacts from withdrawing natural water resources in the area.
- Creating a good attitude towards the community.
Document Download
Water Management Policy
