The Geopolitics of Renewable Energy: Debunking Four Emerging Myths

Energy Research and Social Science, No. 49, pp. 36–40. (2019)

5 Pages Posted: 10 Jan 2020

See all articles by Indra Overland

Indra Overland

NUPI - Norwegian Institute of International Affairs; NUPI - Norwegian Institute for International Affairs

Date Written: 2019

Abstract

This article seeks to nip in the bud four emerging myths about the geopolitics of the rise of renewable energy and the concomitant increase in electricity usage. The article presents alternative perspectives, arguing that (1) the risk of geopolitical competition over critical materials for renewable energy is limited; (2) the resource curse as we know it from the petroleum sector will not necessarily reappear in many countries in connection with renewable energy; (3) transboundary electricity cut-offs will mostly be unsuitable as a geopolitical weapon; and (4) it is not clear that growing use of renewable energy will exacerbate cyber-security risks. In all four areas, the evolving literature could place more emphasis on uncertainty and risks and less on one-sided scenarios and maximization of threats.

Keywords: Geopolitics, Renewable Energy

Suggested Citation

Overland, Indra, The Geopolitics of Renewable Energy: Debunking Four Emerging Myths (2019). Energy Research and Social Science, No. 49, pp. 36–40. (2019), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3506589

Indra Overland (Contact Author)

NUPI - Norwegian Institute of International Affairs ( email )

Oslo
Norway

NUPI - Norwegian Institute for International Affairs ( email )

Oslo
Norway

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