The previous slide in that presentation also shows a cost breakdown for a thermal process, multi-stage flash desalination.
Fixed charges (primarily capital cost) 42%
Energy 41%
Maintenance and parts 8%
Supervision and labor 7%
Chemicals 2%
Energy is nearly even with fixed costs for MSF, but fixed costs are even larger here. Leaving this type of plant idle between dusk and dawn would again raise per-unit costs a lot.
Fixed charges (primarily capital cost) 42%
Energy 41%
Maintenance and parts 8%
Supervision and labor 7%
Chemicals 2%
Energy is nearly even with fixed costs for MSF, but fixed costs are even larger here. Leaving this type of plant idle between dusk and dawn would again raise per-unit costs a lot.