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Energy Dependence
Impact of international conflicts on energy dependence
Access to energy is critical for the development and survival of societies, so ensuring its constant supply is a top priority for the economies of EU member states today. (1). And, several examples show how global disputes may jeopardize energy supplies, resulting in price volatility, supply shortages, and adverse economic effects for countries that import energy.
Here are some real-life examples that illustrate the impact of international conflicts on energy security:
The Gulf War (1990-1991): Production and exports of oil from the area were disrupted. Many nations faced supply shortages and price increases, particularly those that depended significantly on oil imports from the Gulf region.
Russia-Ukraine Gas Disputes: These crises have impacted not just Ukraine but also Eastern and Central European nations that depend on Russian gas sent through Ukrainian pipelines. The conflicts highlighted the geopolitical dangers of oil dependence and the necessity of diversifying energy sources and supply lines.
Venezuela's Political and Economic Crisis: Venezuela has been experiencing a severe political and economic crisis. Venezuela is a significant oil producer and exporter. Venezuela's economy and other nations that depended on Venezuelan oil have been negatively impacted by the country's sharp decline in oil exports.
Thus, securing reliable deliveries of the bare minimum of energy in any country is a prerequisite for the state's and its residents' security (2). Governments, people, and decision-makers may better understand how international conflicts affect energy supplies and implement plans to reduce such risks, guaranteeing a more resilient and sustainable energy future.
What does energy independence look like? Is it a worthy goal?
Accelerating the transition towards renewables, diversifying an energy portfolio, and increasing energy savings major steps toward energy independence.
According to a study done in 2019 by Harjanne & Korhonen “renewability in energy means that the production harvests some form of energy or material flow that is renewed by planetary or stellar processes faster than it is depleted by its use”. (3)
As the Table shows in this study, renewable energy sources vary greatly, but they all have a low power density per area. Each source necessitates special procedures to convert its energy into electricity or heat, and these processes frequently lack the high temperatures required for use in industry(Naegler et al., 2015). Furthermore, renewable energy production is dependent on machinery produced from non-renewable materials, emphasizing resource interdependence. (3)
Considering the second step, diversifying energy supplies, nuclear power plants are a reliable and consistent source of electricity, with reactors having high capacity factors. These plants have long lifespans of 60 years or more. Their dependable electricity production can directly replace fossil fuels in a country's energy mix, reducing the need for fossil fuel imports and promoting energy diversification. (4)
On the other hand, while many experts consider nuclear energy clean compared to other sources, it's also one of the most expensive and time-consuming forms of energy. Nuclear power generates radioactive waste containing harmful substances like plutonium and uranium, which remain toxic for tens of thousands of years, necessitating careful and permanent disposal. Since the 1950s, the world has accumulated 250,000 tonnes of highly radioactive nuclear waste, with 90,000 metric tons stored in the United States alone. (5)
Regarding the third step, improving energy savings, Energy efficiency plans and three major types of barriers severely hamper measures. According to a study by Bagaini et al., there are three types: economic, institutional, and behavioural. Despite the considerable potential for reduced energy consumption in the building and transportation sectors and the European policy framework's aims, the achievement of energy efficiency goals falls short of expectations. Energy consumption in European countries continues to rise, and in 2018 it was 5% higher than the 2020 efficiency target and 22% higher than the 2030 objective (Eurostat, 2019).
-By: Olemisen Balanssia ry