Energy Dependence: The EU's Greatest Energy Security Challenge?. Issue 2 (December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Urutchev, Vladimir
• Is Part Of: European view. Volume 13:Issue 2(2014)
• Page Start: 287
• Page End: 294
• Publication Date: 2014-12
• Subjects: Energy dependence -- Security of supply -- Internal energy market -- Energy prices -- Competitiveness -- Energy union -- European energy policy; Political science -- Europe -- Periodicals; Europe -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 320.94
• DOI: 10.1007/s12290-014-0319-1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1781-6858

Abstract

The article provides an overview of the risks and challenges that the EU is facing in the current geopolitical situation as Europe relies too heavily on oil and gas imports from Russia. This energy dependence is not the only threat to the security of the energy supply, but it is the biggest one and presents the toughest challenge of all. Even when the Ukraine issue has been resolved, the question of energy dependence will remain and solutions must be found as a matter of urgency. Combining our energy infrastructures and perhaps uniting our negotiating power vis-à-vis third countries could help us to reduce dependence, improve the security of supply and increase European competitiveness as a result of lower energy prices overall. The existing internal energy market directives must be implemented and new policies established as we move towards a true European energy union.