Achieving energy security : the geopolitics of Europe

Abstract

Energy supply risks affect state security and its people's lives. Without energy security the EU is vulnerable to political leverage from producer states. This is problematic in a shifting international world order where fierce competition for limited energy resources is taking place. Europe is producing less and demanding more. Worse still, its importing competitors have energy security policies integrated into their foreign and security policies, unlike the EU. This renders the EU ineffective and exploitable to producer states who negotiate bilateral energy deals with member states which undermine the EU's energy security goals of supply diversification by route and origin. The two approaches to solving the problem are; 1 member states working together, and forsaking their national energy policies to Brussels, or 2- by accomplishing the dual objective of their own national energy security goals and the EU's. Policy wise, the European energy market must be fully liberalised. The energy grids throughout Europe must be interconnected to reap these benefits. The EU should allow for states to use 'anti-competitive' market tools for exceptional security reasons and encourage an EU demand management policy to reduce import dependency. Diversification is helped by creating investor confidence in projects involving pipelines, liquefied natural gas facilities and strategic stocks. The EU should upgrade its relations with the Black/Caspian Sea region and the Southern Mediterranean, whilst discouraging Russia from undermining EU energy security policies. More than ever, more balanced interdependent EU Russia relations must be increased through an upgraded Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The EU should also consider joint ventures with NATO and the Black/Caspian Sea region to prevent physical infrastructural threats to energy supplies. This cooperation could be expanded to include Russia as a confidence building measure. The EU should have in place a hi-tech multisensory system that provides early warning of a supply disruption and should have an energy crisis management mechanism to limit the effects of a crisis. Europe needs the political will, an energy strategy and policies, and the determination to act, today.