Energy security in a developing world: a case of Turkey

Abstract

Energy security is a fuzzy concept that has traditionally been used to justify state control over energy and a reluctance to deal with energy issues at global level. However, over time, the concept is acquiring different meanings that are applicable at different levels of governance. Many of the elements of the new definitions also imply a number of inherent contradictions. It argues that within developing countries, energy security implies both access to modern energy services by the poorest aswell as access by the rapidly developing industrial, services, and urban sectors. Lack of adequate resources has implied trade-offs in terms ofwhogets access and in terms of taking into account the social and ecological consequences of specific energy sources. Furthermore, the growing developing country’s need for energy is impacted by industrialized country perceptions of the various dimensions of energy security. The development of reliable, continuous, affordable, and environmentally sound provision of energy services combined with a focus on energy efficiency and conservation is the only way of alleviating the various multi-level dimensions of energy security. Turkey is an energy importing country with more than half of the energy requirement being supplied by imports (76% of the total). Turkey should change its energy policy to simply optimize energy consumption by supporting energy efficiency, give up on supporting environmentally hazardous energy generation such as nuclear, coal, or shale gas, and aim for 100% renewable energy. This will help relieve the economy by reducing energy importation, protect the environment by reducing carbon emissions, and provide energy independence which is a national security matter. Residential and commercial buildings consume a considerable amount of the energy produced in Turkey. A reduction to 25% to 50% of energy consumption is possible with only proper insulation of these buildings. In this context, buildings that are efficiently designed and configured will provide energy savings. This paper discusses the energy security in developing countries such as Turkey.