EU energy dependency on oil and natural gas imports and security of energy supplies: the current situation and possible developments in times of uncertainty caused by the pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian war
Chapter
Publication Date:
2023
abstract:
With its strategic geographic position and concentration of energy sources, the Mediterranean basin plays a key role in energy provision for countries worldwide. Trade from the MENA region, noted for its rich oil and natural gas reserves, crosses the Mediterranean, bound especially towards EU member states, some of its main customers [Forte and Canitano 2019].
This paper investigates the development of the trade in energy sources in the most recent years, taking into account the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Moreover, it extends its focus to future scenarios, studying in depth the consumption trends not only of fossil fuels but also of renewable energy. The study involves countries of the MENA region as the main energy providers, and European countries along the Mediterranean basin as the main importers. Specific consideration will be given to France, Italy and Spain as major European countries overlooking the Mediterranean.
The paper focuses on the exports and imports of fossil fuels, since they still represent the principle energy sources used. References will be included about the degree of energy dependency on foreign countries and the changes dictated by the need to deal with the supply shortfall due to the conflict in Ukraine which has modified general political relationships between European countries and foreign countries.
The chapter is structured as follows: the first part is devoted to the current and future consumption of energy sources followed by the effects of the recent pandemic and the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Section 3 examines the MENA region and its resource provision and supply. Finally, section 4 focuses on the energy demand of the main Mediterranean European countries, namely France, Italy and Spain, and their relations with MENA countries.
This paper investigates the development of the trade in energy sources in the most recent years, taking into account the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Moreover, it extends its focus to future scenarios, studying in depth the consumption trends not only of fossil fuels but also of renewable energy. The study involves countries of the MENA region as the main energy providers, and European countries along the Mediterranean basin as the main importers. Specific consideration will be given to France, Italy and Spain as major European countries overlooking the Mediterranean.
The paper focuses on the exports and imports of fossil fuels, since they still represent the principle energy sources used. References will be included about the degree of energy dependency on foreign countries and the changes dictated by the need to deal with the supply shortfall due to the conflict in Ukraine which has modified general political relationships between European countries and foreign countries.
The chapter is structured as follows: the first part is devoted to the current and future consumption of energy sources followed by the effects of the recent pandemic and the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Section 3 examines the MENA region and its resource provision and supply. Finally, section 4 focuses on the energy demand of the main Mediterranean European countries, namely France, Italy and Spain, and their relations with MENA countries.
Iris type:
02.01 Contributo in volume (Capitolo o Saggio)
Keywords:
energy; Mediterranean; security
List of contributors:
Canitano, Giovanni
Book title:
Mediterranean Economies 2023 - The impact of the Russia-Ukraine war in the Mediterranean region: the socio-economic consequences