Both are key ingredients for economic growth and human welfare. Many forms of energy production require ample and reliable water supply, a resource that is already in short supply in many parts of the world. Water is used at various stages of the power generation cycle, including fuel extraction and processing (mining and refining, liquefaction and gasification of oil, gas, coal, uranium and in the production of biomass/biofuels through agriculture) and generation (coal, gas, oil, nuclear and biomass plants).