When sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is added to water (H2O), heat will be released.
Explanation:
NaOH+H2O= Na+ and OH- ions.
Sodium hydroxide is a base and can disassociate in water.
The heat released is due to the OH- ions stability. Is the result of the chemical species being brought to a lower energy state. Also as it is a very strong phenomenon, it can be used as a moisture absorber.
That's what I get from that. NaOH must dissociate in water to raise the concentration of anything, and it must be basic, otherwise it would raise the hydronium concentration or nothing at all.