Energy Security

Germany’s Role on the current energy crisis: facing challenges under the framework of cooperation with the EU Member-States

20 March 2023 Energy Security European Politics

5 min

As Germany detains a large portion of the European total natural gas, both nominal and percentage wise, coupled with its great storage capacity, it is consequently no secret that part of the response of the European Union to the emergent energetic crisis comes precisely from this country. It is, however, curious to note that the very same nation that has the biggest responsiveness capacity to the growing crisis is at the same time one of the countries that has contributed the most to the current energy dependency crisis. This article will reflect on the German decisions and how they affected- and continue to affect- the current situation in light of the present situation characterised by a lack of negotiation consensus among the European Union Member States.

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EU policy in the global race for critical raw materials

13 March 2023 Energy Security European Politics

5 min

Currently, the necessity  and commitment to switch to greener forms of energy production has never been more compelling. To that effect, the demand for the materials to build new products and systems that function on, or produce greener energy have substantially increased. As a consequence, these raw materials have now become as valuable and coveted as coal and iron deposits at the start of the Industrial Revolution. This article will attempt to cast some light on the EU position in this changing global market and the plans devised by the European Commission on this  matter.

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The American alternative: lobbying in a billion-worth market

9 March 2023 Energy Security International

8 min

The war in Ukraine has jeopardised and reshaped the European energy sector, of which almost half is dependent on Russian gas imports. In this regard, it is of  vital relevance to highlight the fact that fourteen Member States rely on Russia for more than 50% on its gas imports, which entails a high percentage of financing for Putin’s war within the neighbouring country. In this sense, the dilemma on this  political agenda is evident considering that Russia is the largest gas exporter in the world. In the heat of the events in Ukraine, Europe questioned whether it should continue buying Russian gas to guarantee consumption or block its arrival, putting the energy security of the twenty-seven at risk.

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The future of energy in Europe between COP27 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: an interview with Suzana Carp

20 February 2023 Energy Security European Politics

8 min

This year (2022) has represented an important upheaval in energy matters in Europe, in terms of energy (in)dependence, transition to renewables, supplies and prices, both due to the increasingly worrying climate crisis and following Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The European Union (EU) has proved to be still too dependent on other countries, such as Russia, when it comes to energy supplies and still too reliant on gas rather than on renewable energy sources.

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