Desalination Key to Tackle Global Water Crisis: Elon Musk

By Magazine Team On Apr 20, 2025 554 0

Contents

1 Elon Musk advocates desalination

2 Elon Musk Said Desalination Is Absurdly Cheap

3 Solar Power: A Game Changer

4 Criticism of Musk’s Vision

5 References

From May 18 to 25 last year, Bali hosted the 10th World Water Forum, an unprecedented gathering of international experts, politicians, scientists, and entrepreneurs focused on the water industry. Among the notable attendees was Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, as part of a broader business trip to Indonesia to launch Starlink’s satellite internet services to bring connectivity to remote areas. Known for his bold investments in cutting-edge technology, Musk shared his insights on the future of global water management, expressing optimism about overcoming the ongoing water crisis through innovative solutions, particularly desalination.

Elon Musk advocates desalination

During the Forum, Musk delivered a compelling speech advocating for the widespread adoption of desalination technologies as a solution to water scarcity. His message was clear: the challenges posed by water scarcity can be effectively addressed with existing technologies. Musk humorously suggested that if aliens were to visit Earth, they might call it “Planet Water,” given that water covers approximately 70% of the planet’s surface. Despite this abundance, most of the Earth’s water is saline and not suitable for human consumption.

However, Musk argued that the problem of access to fresh water can be solved through advancements in desalination technologies, which have become increasingly affordable and efficient. “Earth is 70% water by surface area,” stated Musk. “Technically, if aliens came here – and a lot of people think aliens have come here, they’re always asking me about aliens – they would name us ‘Water,’ because we’re 70% water, and only 30% land. so what that means is the potential for solving any given water issue is extremely good, because there is so much water.

Elon Musk Said Desalination Is Absurdly Cheap

Elon Musk asserts that desalination has become “very inexpensive,” emphasizing that the availability of fresh water depends largely on energy and transportation. He challenges the notion that the water crisis is unsolvable, stating it is, in fact, very manageable. Musk suggests that tailored solutions will be necessary for different countries and regions, but the declining costs of desalination make it feasible to provide sufficient fresh water for individual consumption and hydroponic facilities, where evaporation is minimized.

He pointed out that converting seawater into clean, drinkable water costs between $2 to $5 for 1,000 gallons, translating to less than half a penny per gallon, which he describes as “absurdly cheap.” Musk believes that with ongoing advancements in desalination efficiency, there is significant potential for addressing global water scarcity. He envisions a future where any region can be transformed into a green space through innovative technology and sustainable energy sources.

Musk’s optimistic outlook suggests that the combination of these factors could lead to a promising future for both water accessibility and environmental sustainability. “We are making additional advancements in desalination efficiency, and I believe we have a promising future for both water accessibility and sustainable energy sources,” Elon Musk stated with optimism.

Solar Power: A Game Changer

Elon Musk emphasized that desalination, the process of removing salt from seawater to make it drinkable, has traditionally been energy-intensive and expensive. However, he believes that utilizing solar energy could make this process much more affordable. Musk posed a critical question about the energy source for desalination, stating that solar energy’s potential is often underestimated. He noted that a solar array measuring just 200 km by 200 km could power the entire United States, while a small section of the Sahara Desert could supply energy for all of Europe or even the world.

Musk acknowledged that solar power should ideally be distributed rather than concentrated, but he stressed the vast availability of solar energy. “Although the sun doesn’t shine all the time, the energy captured per square kilometer per day is substantial,” he said. He pointed out that the cost of solar power has dropped dramatically; what was considered cost-prohibitive 5, 10, or even 20 years ago is now extremely low. Additionally, he mentioned that the cost of battery storage has decreased by a factor of 10 in the last five years, making energy storage much more economical.

Musk encouraged a reevaluation of the current costs associated with solar energy and battery storage, suggesting that many older studies do not reflect today’s pricing. He believes that those who investigate these costs will be pleasantly surprised by the advancements and affordability of solar technology and energy storage solutions.

Criticism of Musk’s Vision

Not everyone shares the optimistic outlook of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Carlos Cosin, the former president of the International Desalination Association, criticized Musk for failing to present any new ideas, noting that the importance of desalination in addressing the water crisis and the need for renewable energy sources in this process have been discussed for two decades.

Muhammad Jamil from the Indonesian NGO network JATAM raised concerns about Musk’s proposal, particularly regarding the materials required to construct solar power plants at the scale needed for global desalination. He argued that this would necessitate increased metal mining, which poses a threat to untouched forests around the world.

Hadi Priyanto, a representative from Greenpeace, acknowledged the necessity of desalination and the significant potential of solar energy in this field, but cautioned that the environmental impacts—such as the additional waste generated by photovoltaic installations—must be carefully considered. He emphasized that further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of desalination equipment.

Carlos Cosín, now CEO of Almar Water Solutions, commented on LinkedIn regarding Musk’s statements, highlighting that no new ideas were introduced, as the water sector has long recognized the critical role of desalination in combating water scarcity. Additionally, some critics argue that Musk’s optimistic vision may only be feasible in developed nations, as less affluent countries face significant challenges in securing the capital needed to invest in desalination infrastructure.

Conclusion

While Elon Musk’s technological optimism regarding desalination and solar power is well-founded, addressing the financial barriers in poorer regions is crucial for developing comprehensive solutions to global water scarcity. The 10th World Water Forum served as a platform to showcase innovative solutions already in action, from governance and cooperation to funding mechanisms and climate impact mitigation.

Concrete outcomes are expected as governments and organizations commit to improving water management practices and investing in sustainable infrastructure. By leveraging advancements in desalination and renewable energy, the global community can work together to tackle the pressing water crisis and ensure access to clean water for all.