Security and the Economics of Energy in North-East Europe (original) (raw)
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The article provides a comparative analysis of how the securitization of an energy sector is related to the actual energy situation of a country, the intensity of the securitization proclamation, and the “practical outcomes” of the securitization process. The energy strategies and implementation processes of “untypical” energy projects in four Central and Eastern European countries have been explored. The analysis of the securitization of energy sectors in Estonia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine has served as a basis for introducing the concept of a “‘securitization intensity” in the energy-security sector. The article also contributes to the debate about the “explanatory role” of securitization theory by suggesting that the actual level of energy dependence (on an external supply) relates to the level of securitization intensity but not necessarily to the extraordinary measures or practical outcomes in the form of untypical projects in energy sectors.
Over the past twenty years, the biggest challenge to the national security of the independent states from the Baltic to the Black Sea region has been in the energy sector. The problem has mostly been the failure to secure stable energy resource provisions. This is mostly due to systemic and historical as well as internal political factors. This paper examines the problems related to the energy security of the following three ex-Soviet bloc countries: Lithuanian, Belarus and Ukraine. The main energy problem areas discussed here are oil and natural gas resources. Because the three countries have pursued very different internal and foreign security policies, their energy needs are equally divergent. Therefore, the paper presents case study for each state. Each case study, firstly, identifies a number of possible threats to energy security, secondly, examines the influences that these threats may exact on national as well as foreign policies and, thirdly, discusses how different national and foreign policies influence the resolution of energy security problems.
The article analyses how responsible decision makers (Members of the Parliament and employees in the Governmental institutions) adopt their decisions on the issues concerning energy security of Lithuania. The article is based on a constructivist security approach. The article explores what the main challenges and threats to Lithuanian energy security are, as identified by responsible decision makers. The article analyses how the concept of "energy security" is perceived by responsible decision makers. Additionally, the article identifies the groups that most influence the positions of the responsible decision makers. Finally, it is stated that energy nationalism dominates the thinking of responsible decision makers, which is perceived as a way to increase energy security.
Journal of Baltic Studies, 2014
Drawing extensively on her previous work (Balmaceda 2008a; Balmaceda 2008b; Balmaceda 2006) covering corruption in the oil and natural gas sectors in Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania, here Margarita M. Balmaceda sets out ambitious goals. The book examines examines sectors in Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania, here Margarita M. Balmaceda sets oue, Belarus and Lithuania. Subsequently, building upon that, it analyses how their energy security has been influenced by domestic factors in the management and rents of 'energy dependency', as well as by the role of 'energy groups in these countries' own post-independence political development' (p.4). The book consists of three parts, the first of which provides a shared background for the three case studies, the setting of the proposed explanation of variations among the countries. The second part offers three detailed empirical case studies covering Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania, and the third part offers conclusions drawn from the three cases.
Security of energy supply and gas diversification in Poland
IWE Working Papers, No. 243, 2018
Poland entered the twenty-first century with an unsustainable energy/electricity mix, strongly over-dependent on coal. This situation seems to be changing very slowly, while there are multiple factors that make it imperative for the issue to be urgently addressed. On the one hand, this paper aims to assess the security of the stationary fuel supply by applying the conventional three-dimensional approach, encompassing availability, affordability and sustainability. On the other, we plan to use our own scheme to analyse gas diversification (Weiner, 2017: 6), i.e. a fuel which, alongside coal, is a very sensitive issue linked to the security of the Polish electric power fuel supply. We demonstrate that the three-dimensional approach is also appropriate for addressing the issue of supply security in the case of a country with a securitized energy agenda based on fears of problems with the availability and affordability of Russian gas supplies. It also highlights Poland’s concern over foreign technological reliance regarding renewables production. We show how the energy perspective, the institutional context, as well as perceptions regarding threat, dependence and Russia influence choices made from among different security of supply dimensions. We find that though the role of coal will surely decrease, there is great uncertainty about Poland’s energy policy and security of supply because of deficiencies in infrastructure and the unknown future role of the particular fuels in the energy/electricity mix, also expected to include nuclear. We can observe that every energy policy step possible is being taken to maintain the role of coal, and Poland moves toward sustainability only as much and as soon as it is required by its EU membership. Not only does the coal industry capture Poland’s energy policy, but also geopolitical considerations cement reliance on coal, providing low energy import dependence. Regarding gas, we find that since the January 2009 Russian–Ukrainian gas crisis, Poland has taken action to diversify its gas supplies, and it has finally achieved results, but there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding Russian gas imports.
ENERGY – THREAT OR OPORTUNITY FOR EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The article aims to show a synthetic analysis of the processes and strategies of the European countries that have granted a special priority to energy policies and security perspectives at the regional an especially at the national levels. The text highlights features and consequences of different national strategic approaches of energy security issues, taking into account the national security and economic interests of each European country, and continues by analyzing the controversial effects of the international economic sanctions applied to the Russian Federation and the similar sanction relief for Iran. The new opportunities given to Europe by the alternative energy sources for the European Union and the important part played by Norway, Romania and the Western Balkans countries are tackled in a very direct and objective manner, showing a realistic picture of a very tormented region of the world crossing a very complicated period. It has become very difficult for any actor of the international community or specialized analyst of national or intergovernmental institutions to identify in the recent history a more tormented and complicated period than the one that the global society has been crossing for the last five years. Global, regional and national military and social issues have been doubled by serious difficulties encountered by national states and regions in the energy security field. As an essential component of any economic activity, energy and energy capabilities become the most important arguments that partners, allies and adversaries use in the international peaceful negotiations, not only in commercial and finance areas, but also for determining occurrences, decisions and conclusions in chapters where the military used to have the most important influence in the past. By looking carefully at the recent economic and energy security dynamics in Europe, it is easy to identify the main aspects that are to be considered as important issues, tackled in any serious analysis of economic and geostrategic tendencies, especially for the Central and Eastern Europe. Among many aspects that characterize the present economic, political, military, social and security situations in Europe we can find the next ones: different national strategic approaches of energy security issues depending on the national security and economic interests of each European country; effects of economic and political sanctions applied to Russian Federation by the democratic international community after violating the international law with its hybrid aggressive intervention in Ukraine; effects of economic sanctions relief for Iran that were imposed in the past mainly by the United States of America, European Union Member States and Japan; economic, military and political instability in the Eastern Neighborhood of the European Union and in the Western Balkans; low oil prices;
(2017) Energy security and energy transition – securitisation in the electricity sector 1
The chapter looks at the electricity sector, which is very rarely the object of interest in Security Studies and political science, despite its clear importance as a vital energy sector sustaining vital functions and values of (post)modern societies. We trace security debates in two sub-sectors – renewables and nuclear energy and in two neighbouring countries, Germany and Poland. Germany is often lauded as the frontrunner of an energy transition while Poland – perceived as a carbon-locked in veto payer in European decarbonization. We show that energy security discourses play a role in informing policy choices, and certainly lead to that kind of divergent rhetoric, but in reality the two countries share a commitment to coal at least in the medium term. In Poland, renewables are often framed as a threat for the electricity system. The German debate, less securitized, seems to be closer to the 'objective' systemic vulnerabilities, whereas in Poland the major vulnerability of the power sector – weak and inadequate grid – remains a non-issue. An instrumental use of securitisation and security jargon is visible among pro-renewable environmental activist in both countries, who mimic the securitising moves known from the gas sector to portray renewables as a solution to national security problems. In the nuclear sector we also find a strong example of a successful and full securitising move, with the announcement of the nuclear project as a national security issue, followed by proposed and implemented extraordinary measures. We find that politicians are more prone to use and accept security jargon, while technical experts in energy are most active in de-securitisation, even of such serious and problematic issues as uncontrolled electricity flows. The more international the energy issue, the more likely it is to see spill-overs from foreign policy and securitising moves drawing on a broader 'security imaginary'.
Energy security and energy transition – securitisation in the electricity sector
Energy Security in Europe: Divergent Perceptions and Policy Challenges, 2017
The chapter looks at the electricity sector, which is very rarely the object of interest in Security Studies and political science, despite its clear importance as a vital energy sector sustaining vital functions and values of (post)modern societies. We trace security debates in two sub-sectors – renewables and nuclear energy and in two neighbouring countries, Germany and Poland. Germany is often lauded as the frontrunner of an energy transition while Poland – perceived as a carbon-locked in veto payer in European decarbonization. We show that energy security discourses play a role in informing policy choices, and certainly lead to that kind of divergent rhetoric, but in reality the two countries share a commitment to coal at least in the medium term. In Poland, renewables are often framed as a threat for the electricity system. The German debate, less securitized, seems to be closer to the 'objective' systemic vulnerabilities, whereas in Poland the major vulnerability of the power sector – weak and inadequate grid – remains a non-issue. An instrumental use of securitisation and security jargon is visible among pro-renewable environmental activist in both countries, who mimic the securitising moves known from the gas sector to portray renewables as a solution to national security problems. In the nuclear sector we also find a strong example of a successful and full securitising move, with the announcement of the nuclear project as a national security issue, followed by proposed and implemented extraordinary measures. We find that politicians are more prone to use and accept security jargon, while technical experts in energy are most active in de-securitisation, even of such serious and problematic issues as uncontrolled electricity flows. The more international the energy issue, the more likely it is to see spill-overs from foreign policy and securitising moves drawing on a broader 'security imaginary'.