In today's world, energy plays a crucial role not only in our daily lives, but for the economy and the workings of the state, too. It was not until the 1980s that energy was acknowledged as a very important factor in security studies, but for many states, energy is not only a domestic issue. In a globalized world, energy and energy carriers are sold and acquired on international markets. This interdependency can have serious consequences for national energy policies. The question arising from this is how states can ensure the greatest possible security in energy matters.
This paper will look at this question using the UK as a case study. After an examination of the current energy policy of the UK government and future plans, it will identify and discuss the nature and scope of a variety of different threats to UK energy security and propose solutions which will help to ensure energy security in the UK in the 21st century.
However, it concludes that there are strong limits to energy security, and a stage of complete security in this field is a near to impossible goal to reach.
Christian von Campe is a postgraduate student in Strategic Studies at the University of Aberdeen.
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