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To what extent do domestic energy sources always lead to greater energy…
To what extent do domestic energy sources always lead to greater energy security compared to using foreign energy sources?
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Domestic energy sources
- Domestic energy sources are found within a country’s territories.
- This can include fossil fuels, but also the potential for other renewable and
recyclable sources (wind, biofuels, uranium, solar and others)
- Energy demand is rarely found in the same place as most supply, especially in
the case of fossil fuels.
- Many countries rely on their domestic fossil fuel supply e.g. coal, oil and gas in the USA, but in many locations e.g. the UK domestic supply does not meet demand so imports are needed; in a few cases e.g. UAE/ Qatar, domestic supply far exceeds domestic demand (exporters).
- In some places such as South Africa and India, ageing and technically poor electricity supply infrastructure means the national grid often fails to provide secure supply
- Until recently many renewables were expensive so although available, they lacked affordability; this has changed for solar and wind so domestic renewable sources are increasingly secure as regards price (if not constant availability).
- In the future, if fossil fuel supplies tighten and prices increase, foreign sources could be less secure of resource nationalism prevents open trade in some energy sources
Foreign energy sources
- Foreign sources of energy are obtained by trade, and transferred by pipeline,
ship, cable and other pathways.
- Foreign energy sources can be interrupted by political disputes (Russia/ Ukraine gas in 2006/09), natural hazards e.g. hurricanes, war and conflict (Iraq War, Libyan civil war 2011) reducing security of supply; however many of these interruptions are short lived.
- Trade in oil and gas are global, and although prices can spike e.g. in 2008 the trade is generally smooth and secure with countries not having difficulties securing the supply they need – although perhaps not always at the price they would want.