Ramadan, Water, And Energy: Seasonal Demand Insights

Serene view of wind turbines reflecting on water at sunset, symbolising renewable energy. by Flickr via pexels

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Ramadan, Water, And Energy: Why Seasonal Spikes Matter For MENA’s Future

Author: Fanack Water Editorial Team

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Water use surges across the Middle East and North Africa during Ramadan, and Saudi Arabia offers a clear example of how this seasonal peak exposes deeper stresses in the region’s water and energy systems.  As millions of people shift their daily routines, the demand for clean water and the power needed to deliver it both rise sharply.

Changing Water Use During Ramadan

In Saudi Arabia, water consumption climbs as households, mosques and restaurants prepare meals and gather for iftar and suhoor.  In 2025, about 10 million cubic meters of water were supplied each day during Ramadan, with plans to raise this to around 11 million cubic meters per day this year.  Much of this extra demand comes from cooking, cleaning, drinking and expanded ablution facilities in mosques, especially during evening prayers.​

Daily patterns also shift. Peak use often moves to late evening and early morning, when people break their fast and eat before dawn. This change in timing forces utilities to keep water flowing reliably at hours when demand is usually lower during the rest of the year. It also increases pressure on urban networks that already struggle with leakage and aging infrastructure in many MENA cities.

The Water–Energy Nexus In A Thirsty Region

Ramadan demand spikes sit on top of a much broader challenge: MENA is the most water-scarce region in the world.  The region hosts about 6 percent of the global population but has access to only around 1–2 percent of the world’s renewable freshwater resources.  To bridge this gap, many countries, especially in the Gulf, rely heavily on desalination, an energy-intensive technology that turns seawater into drinking water.

This is where the water–energy nexus becomes critical. Producing and pumping water requires large amounts of electricity and fuel, while energy systems themselves often depend on water for cooling and other processes. During Ramadan, when water use spikes, power plants and grids must ramp up to meet both direct electricity demand and the energy needs of desalination plants operating close to full capacity. In some countries, this compounds stress on already fragile grids and can increase the risk of service disruptions for both water and power.

Desalination, Renewables, And Seasonal Peaks

Because fossil fuels still supply most of the energy for desalination in MENA, seasonal demand peaks also mean higher emissions and costs.  At the same time, oil and gas markets remain volatile, making it risky to rely solely on conventional fuels to secure essential water supplies. This is pushing governments to explore cleaner and more flexible options.

Solar energy is especially promising. The region has some of the highest solar potential in the world, and countries like Saudi Arabia are rapidly expanding their solar capacity.  Solar power can provide low-cost energy for desalination during the day, while battery and thermal storage can shift part of that output into the evening peak around iftar.   Recent drops in battery prices strengthen the case for pairing desalination with storage, helping to smooth out Ramadan spikes and reduce strain on the grid.

Broader Social And Environmental Implications

Ramadan also highlights social and environmental dimensions of water use. In Saudi Arabia, campaigns now urge pilgrims and worshippers to conserve water, especially Zamzam water, and to avoid wasteful practices such as using bottled water for ablution. Across the region, massive consumption of single-use plastic bottles during evening prayers raises concerns about waste, pollution and the carbon footprint of water distribution.

More broadly, seasonal stress comes on top of long-term trends: climate change, groundwater depletion, and rising demand from growing cities and farms. Poor communities, refugees and rural households are often the first to feel the impacts when supplies tighten or prices rise. In already tense basins like the Nile or the Tigris–Euphrates, water scarcity can aggravate political disputes and local conflicts.

Yet Ramadan also offers an opportunity. The month’s emphasis on moderation, stewardship and community can support messages around saving water, cutting waste and embracing more sustainable technologies. If governments, utilities, faith leaders and citizens act together, the way water is managed during Ramadan could become a model for how the region handles water stress year-round.

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