Beatrice Lang
Electricity diplomacy is a growing phenomenon, with countries increasingly viewing electricity as a diplomatic currency. In post-conflict settings, emergency power provision can influence political alignments and shape regional partnerships. For example, Jordan has signed a US-backed deal to sell electricity to Lebanon through Syria, boosting its power supply and helping to facilitate its physical reintegration into the region. Meanwhile, Turkey has agreed to supply Syria with electricity via floating power ships, which can be deployed quickly and require minimal infrastructure. China is also gaining influence in the electricity sector, setting standards and norms as well as expanding its strategic outreach. The EU's REPowerEU Plan aims to strengthen energy security and reduce Europe's dependency on Russian energy imports, while also supporting Ukraine and affected partners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electricity grids | Configured by geopolitical issues, influenced by powerful nations like China, EU, Russia, Iran, and Turkey |
| EU's energy diplomacy | Reinforce and safeguard energy security, avoid new dependencies, preserve competitiveness, and ensure affordable energy for citizens |
| Energy transition | Shift from fossil fuel dependence to clean and renewable energy sources, altering producer-consumer relationships |
| Bilateral relations | Hydrocarbon-exporting countries seek energy, investment, and technology collaboration |
| Power-purchase agreements | Provide immediate power supply boosts, facilitate physical reintegration, and advance diplomatic relations |
| Regional electricity exchange markets | Emerge in post-conflict settings, influenced by power-purchase agreements |
| Infrastructure development | Turkey's infrastructure boost through a gas pipeline to Syria, positioning itself as an energy hub |
| Electricity as diplomatic currency | Electricity influences political alignments and shapes regional partnerships |
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What You'll Learn
Electricity as a diplomatic currency
Electricity is a vital resource that has become intertwined with economic prosperity and national security. As such, it has also become a tool of diplomacy, with countries leveraging their energy resources to pursue geopolitical goals and exert influence on the world stage. This phenomenon, known as "electricity diplomacy," is exemplified in various regions and through different mechanisms.
In the post-conflict setting of Syria, electricity has emerged as a critical form of diplomatic currency. With Syria facing severe electricity shortages due to a decade of conflict and international sanctions, external power purchase agreements have become a means to not only address the country's energy crisis but also reshape political alignments and regional partnerships. For instance, Turkey's agreement to supply electricity to Syria through floating power ships not only provides immediate relief but also serves as a strategic move to expand its footprint in Syria's energy market. Similarly, Jordan's electricity deal with Syria, backed by the US, is an attempt to re-establish its influence in the region and position itself as an energy hub.
The European Union (EU) is also actively engaged in electricity diplomacy, particularly in response to Russia's weaponization of energy supplies. The EU's energy diplomacy aims to safeguard its energy security, reduce dependency on Russian energy imports, and ensure affordable and sustainable energy for its citizens. This involves coordinating with reliable producers and consumers, promoting infrastructure development, and supporting the transition to renewable energy sources.
China is another key player in the geopolitics of electricity, with its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) seeking to set standards and norms in the electricity sector while expanding its strategic outreach. In the EU's eastern neighborhood, there is noticeable competition between the EU and Russia over the configuration of electricity grids, with both seeking to exert influence and shape regional integration.
Electricity diplomacy is not limited to specific regions but has become a global phenomenon. Countries are forming strategic bilateral relations with key energy partners, recognizing the transition away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy sources. Hydrocarbon-exporting countries, in particular, are navigating the shift in the global energy system by fostering collaboration in energy, investment, and technology.
In summary, electricity diplomacy underscores the evolving nature of international relations, where access to and control over energy resources are leveraged to pursue geopolitical objectives. Electricity, as a diplomatic currency, shapes regional dynamics, influences economic growth, and can even contribute to post-conflict reconstruction. As the world navigates energy transitions and supply challenges, electricity diplomacy will likely continue to play a pivotal role in shaping global affairs.
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Geopolitics of electricity grids
The geopolitical relevance of electricity is gaining importance and momentum with the global transformation to greener energy and the expansion of renewables. Electricity grids are evolving with new configurations of electricity infrastructure, such as interconnectors and integrated electricity grids, reshaping the geopolitical landscape. Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a notable example of driving global electricity interconnectivity.
The European integrated electricity grids have evolved beyond political borders, first from sub-national grids and bilateral connections, then into a multilateral electricity ring, and now a common system. Synchronized electricity grids create "electricity solidarity," where states share common opportunities, risks, rights, and obligations. This synchronization redistributes the balance of power more evenly within the network.
In the EU's eastern neighborhood, geopolitical issues have dominated the configuration of electricity grids since the Cold War. The EU, China, Russia, Iran, and Turkey compete to influence the reconfiguration of electricity grids in the eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, Caspian Sea, and Central Asian regions. Turkey's grid operator, TEİAŞ, has observer status within ENTSO-E, but its electricity trade with the EU remains limited despite interconnectors with Greece and Bulgaria.
Russia's plans for deeper integration face regional resistance and technical and political challenges. Moscow aims to develop regional interconnectors to export electricity to Turkey, Iran, China, and India, but its prominent political-regulatory and economic role creates obstacles. Other external actors, especially China, Turkey, and Iran, pursue integration initiatives that compete with Russia.
The Baltic states' disentanglement from the BRELL (Belarus, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) electricity grid and synchronization with Europe highlight the geopolitical implications of electricity grids. The use of electricity supply as an energy weapon and the potential for cyberattacks on grid infrastructure are emerging concerns in the context of energy security.
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EU energy diplomacy
Energy diplomacy is a system of influencing the policies, resolutions, and conduct of foreign governments and other international factors through diplomatic dialogue, negotiation, lobbying, advocacy, and other peaceful methods. It is a recurring theme for energy, international relations, and diplomacy to intersect in practical diplomatic life and the geopolitical reality.
In response to the energy crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EU's REPowerEU Plan outlines how EU energy diplomacy can strengthen energy security and reduce Europe's dependency on Russian energy imports. It also aims to support Ukraine and its partners by boosting energy efficiency and the development of renewables.
To achieve these goals, EU energy diplomacy will coordinate with reliable producers and large consumers to promote relevant infrastructure and reduce methane emissions, without compromising long-term climate neutrality. It will also continue to promote open and liquid global markets for fossil fuel security, while preparing for new energy security challenges related to raw material supply chains, cybersecurity, and access to clean energy technologies.
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Electricity exchange markets
In a wholesale electricity market, competing generators offer their electricity output to retailers, who then re-price the electricity and sell it to consumers. This process involves bids and offers that use supply and demand principles to set the price. Power exchanges, such as EPEX SPOT, facilitate these transactions by providing a trading platform for their members to submit orders for buying or selling power. These orders reflect the supply and demand for a specific market area, and power exchanges calculate a market price based on this information.
The frequency on the electricity grid must remain stable, balancing resources and consumption in real time. This is achieved through short-term spot power markets, which help provide electricity where and when it is needed, even across borders. European Market Coupling, for example, allows electricity to flow freely across borders, improving distribution efficiency.
The structure of electricity markets has evolved over time, with historical changes driven by technological advancements, politics, and ideology. The traditional "energy-only" wholesale markets have been replaced by markets that include mechanisms for managing various services alongside energy, such as frequency control, voltage control, and capacity markets. These markets are essential for maintaining a stable and reliable electricity supply while adapting to the dynamic nature of the industry.
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Bilateral relations in electricity trade
The concept of bilateral relations in electricity trade refers to the private exchange of electricity between two parties, often utilities or generators and buyers. These bilateral markets, particularly prevalent in parts of the US without centralised electricity markets, involve large volumes of electricity being traded at prices negotiated and agreed upon by the two parties. Bilateral transactions are typically conducted over the phone or through electronic trading platforms, with longer-term transactions often negotiated face-to-face.
In the context of global diplomacy, electricity trade and grid connectivity play a significant role in shaping international relations. For instance, in the EU's eastern neighbourhood, there is notable competition between the EU and Russia to influence the configuration of electricity grids. Russia aims to develop regional interconnectors to facilitate future electricity exports to Turkey, Iran, China, and India, facing resistance due to its dominant market position. Meanwhile, China is gaining influence in the electricity sector through its Belt and Road Initiative, setting standards and expanding its strategic outreach.
Turkey's electricity trade with the EU remains limited despite having interconnectors with Greece and Bulgaria. However, it has established connections with neighbouring countries like Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Georgia, showcasing the complex dynamics of electricity trade in the eastern Mediterranean region.
The evolution of the European integrated electricity grids has been influenced by geography, the connection between electricity sources and consumption centres, and the political idea of Europe. Today, electricity grids transcend political borders, reflecting the history of European integration and the pursuit of a common energy system.
In summary, bilateral electricity trade shapes diplomatic relations by providing opportunities for countries to exert influence, enhance energy security, and pursue economic interests. The dynamics of electricity trade can lead to competition, cooperation, or conflict, all of which contribute to the complex landscape of international relations.
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Frequently asked questions
Energy diplomacy refers to diplomatic activities designed to enhance access to energy resources and markets. It is a system of influencing the policies, resolutions and conduct of foreign governments and other international factors through diplomatic dialogue, negotiation, lobbying, advocacy and other peaceful methods.
Energy diplomacy shapes electricity grids and systems through the negotiation of access to energy resources and markets. Electricity grids are influenced by geopolitical issues, with interconnectors and power-purchase agreements facilitating electricity trade between countries.
The European electricity grid has evolved over time, with the EU's REPowerEU Plan aiming to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on Russian energy imports. China is also gaining influence in the electricity sector, with its Belt and Road Initiative setting standards and expanding strategic outreach. In the Middle East, Turkey has interconnectors with Greece and Bulgaria, while Syria's electricity crisis has led to power-purchase agreements with Jordan and Türkiye (Turkey) for electricity supply.
Energy diplomacy is important as energy has become synonymous with economic power and national security. Access to energy resources can decide war outcomes and shape national and international agendas. Energy diplomacy helps safeguard energy security, enhance access to resources, and manage geopolitical consequences of energy transitions.
Energy diplomacy influences foreign policy by providing a mechanism to achieve strategic goals related to energy security and economic growth. It intersects with national security and economic considerations, influencing diplomatic relations and international cooperation. Energy diplomacy can also shape geopolitical alignments, especially in post-conflict settings where emergency power provision is crucial.
