Energy superpower

An energy superpower is a country that supplies large amounts of energy resources (crude oil, natural gas, coal, etc.) to a significant number of other countries - and therefore has the potential to influence world markets for political or economic gains. Energy superpower status might be exercised, for example, by significantly influencing the price on global markets or by withholding supplies. Nowadays,[when?] the term "energy superpower" is increasingly used to characterize nations at the forefront of energy transition and the development of renewable energy resources.[1][2][3]

The term "energy superpower" lacks a precise scholarly definition and is primarily a political term. It is not a concept rooted in rigorous academic or scientific categorization but rather a label used in political discourse to describe countries that wield significant influence in the global energy landscape. This term is subject to interpretation;and can be applied differently by individuals and organizations - depending on their specific agenda or perspectives. As a result, the meaning and applicability of the term "energy superpower" may vary.

As of 2024, the United States is the world's leading producer of total energy, leading producer of petroleum, leading producer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and leading exporter of LNG.[4][5]

Russia is widely recognized as an energy superpower.[6][7][8] Other nations that have, at different points in time, earned this designation include Saudi Arabia,[9] Canada,[10] Venezuela,[10] and Iran.[11][12]

  1. ^ Jericho, Greg (19 Oct 2023). "Australia is already an energy superpower. We should be using that to drive the world towards renewables". The Guardian.
  2. ^ Araya, Daniel (November 27, 2018). "China's Belt and Road Initiative is poised to transform the clean energy industry". The Brookings Institution.
  3. ^ Butler, Nick (September 21, 2014). "China: the world's energy superpower". Financial Times.
  4. ^ Williams, Curtis (January 3, 2024). "US was top LNG exporter in 2023 as hit record levels". Reuters.
  5. ^ Sharma, Gaurav. "As 2024 Approaches U.S. Leads Global Crude Oil Production". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
  6. ^ "'Russia Won't Act Like an Energy Superpower': Making Promises that Can't Be Kept". Global Events Magazine. 2006-09-15. Archived from the original on 2008-08-28. Retrieved 2012-02-05.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ^ "The Future of Russia as an Energy Superpower". Harvard University Press. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  8. ^ "How Russia's energy superpower status can bring supersecurity and superstability. Interview with Leonid Grigoriev". Civil G8. 2006. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  9. ^ "Saudi Arabia's first step towards clean energy technologies". UNDP. Archived from the original on 2012-05-28. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  10. ^ a b Canada: The next oil superpower? Archived 2007-02-06 at the Wayback Machine, by Manik Talwani. The New York Times 2003
  11. ^ "Energy and the Iranian economy: hearing". DIANE. United States Congress. 2006-07-25. ISBN 9781422320945. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
  12. ^ Balamir Coşkun, Bezen (Winter 2009). "Global Energy Geopolitics and Iran" (PDF). Uluslararası İlişkiler. 5 (20). International Relations Council of Turkey: 179–201. Archived from the original on April 1, 2014.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)