ANALYSIS Bridging decision networks for integrated water and energy planning Afreen Siddiqi a, b, * , Arani Kajenthira b, 1 , Laura Dı ´az Anado ´n b, 2 a Engineering Systems Division, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA b Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA A RT I C L E IN F O Article history: Received 22 November 2012 Received in revised form 24 January 2013 Accepted 5 February 2013 Available online 13 March 2013 Keywords: Watereenergy nexus Stakeholder networks Boundary spanning agents Integrated resource policy Oil shale A B S T RA C T Integrated policy and planning is needed to effectively meet the challenges of growing water and energy inter-dependencies in many regions. Joint consideration of both water and energy domains can identify new options for increasing overall resource use effi- ciencies. In order to identify and realize such opportunities, however, detailed knowledge of current and emerging watereenergy couplings is needed along with a nuanced understanding of key actors and agencies engaged in decision-making. In this paper we develop a systematic, analytical approach based on quantitative analysis of water and energy couplings, identification and characterization of key actors and groups using concepts from stakeholders theory, and employing notions from organization theory of boundary-spanning agents that can serve to bridge inter-organizational networks for water and energy planning. We apply this approach to conduct an in-depth investigation of water and energy resources in Jordan, a country that is at the cusp of developing new infrastructure that will enmesh its water and energy future. We find that oil-shale development (a strategic objective of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources) will create new water requirements and new sources (such as desalination of seawater and greater reuse of wastewater) will help in fulfilling demand. There may also be opportu- nities for creating water savings in the agricultural sector and using wastewater from the municipal sector for partially fulfilling water needs in the energy sector. Realizing such arrangements however will require joint cooperation across a number of different agencies such as the Water Authority of Jordan, Jordan Valley Authority, the Natural Resource Authority and municipal water management companies. This coordination can be facilitated through boundary-spanning agencies, such as international donor agencies and The Ministry of Planning that are already locally well positioned for such a role. Ó 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction 1.1. Overview The inter-dependent relationship of water and energy [1], also referred to as the watereenergy nexus, is of growing interest in resource planning and policy [2]. Water is needed for extracting fossil fuel, refining petroleum products, and cooling power plants for electricity generation. Energy is needed for water purification and desalination, pumping and conveyance, end-use (e.g. heating and cooling in buildings), and wastewater treatment [3]. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, this inter-dependency has become particularly important as new water supply augmentation strategies (such as desalination) are more energy intensive than traditional sources, and some non-conventional energy sources (such as shale oil and gas, solar thermal power plants) require more water [4]. The need to better understand these intensifying inter-dependencies has begun to be noted at high levels [5,6], and a number of efforts are underway to improve the knowledge base of the water and energy couplings in different regions of the world [7]. In addition to understanding the physical connections, however, it is also important to assess the social and political system within which the resource policies are made. An understanding of key stakeholders and a strategic linking of decision- * Corresponding author. E40-231, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. E-mail addresses: siddiqi@mit.edu (A. Siddiqi), arani_kajenthira@hks.harvard.edu (A. Kajenthira), laura_diaz_anadon@harvard.edu (L.D. Anado ´n). 1 Littauer 331A, 79 John F. Kennedy St., Mailbox 53, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA. 2 Littauer 333B, 79 John F. Kennedy St., Mailbox 53, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA. Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Energy Strategy Reviews journal homepage: www.ees.elsevier.com/esr 2211-467X/$ e see front matter Ó 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2013.02.003 Energy Strategy Reviews 2 (2013) 46e58