Energy Independence
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0962629821002390
Why Energy Independence Can Enhance Political Independence
Reduced External Pressure: A nation that controls its own energy resources is less susceptible to external political manipulation.
National Security: Reducing reliance on foreign energy sources strengthens national security by minimizing exposure to supply disruptions.
Domestic Control: Energy independence allows a nation to make independent policy choices about its energy future, fostering a more democratic and sovereign energy system.
The Complex Reality
Energy Independence is a Myth: Some energy experts view achieving complete energy independence as an unrealistic goal or a “myth” due to the interconnected nature of global energy markets and supply chains.
Balancing Security and Sustainability: Countries face a complex challenge in balancing energy security, sustainability, and sovereignty.
Cooperation May Be Necessary: While pursuing self-sufficiency, countries may still need to cooperate with neighboring nations to balance intermittent renewable energy supplies and exploit comparative advantages.
New Vulnerabilities: Even with a shift to renewables, countries must still secure supply chains for critical raw materials and protect new forms of energy infrastructure, creating new potential vulnerabilities.