The Russian-Ukrainian conflict: The world has clearly felt the effects of energy

The world has clearly felt the influence that Russia – a superpower on energy create. From energy, gas to food issues. These influences are changing and promoting a new world energy order.

The European Union has responded by accelerating the disconnection of the Russian gas pipeline. In particular, Germany is the leading country in these changes. A few days after Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the cessation of the deployment of the gas pipeline. Nord Stream 2 (worth $11 billion), connecting from Vyborg in Russia, across the Baltic Sea, to Greifswald, Germany.

Mr. Robert Habeck – German Minister of Economy and Climate said: “I certainly think that the current situation will help the transition to renewable energy in Germany and Europe. People see that now the Renewable energy development is not just a climate-related issue, it’s also an energy security or safety issue. Wind and solar belong to no one.”

Meanwhile, the US has banned the import of Russian petroleum products and is looking for alternative sources. The prospect for this supply is Venezuela, which has the largest known crude oil reserves in the world. Last weekend, a US delegation arrived in Venezuela and was given the green light by the Venezuelan President by saying he was ready to increase production up to 3 million bpd.

Nuclear power is “on the throne” in Europe again

Nuclear power has suddenly returned to the center of the medium-term energy policy of European countries. The European Union has an energy crisis due to its dependence on gas from Russia, and is now forced to modify its policy towards reducing the use of gas and oil. Unable to rely on renewable energy, and not wanting to depend on imported oil and gas, Europe does not see a better option than nuclear power. Last weekend, the Kingdom of Belgium decided not to rush to shut down two nuclear power plants.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexandre De Croo: “It is important for our consumers to have electricity and to have electricity at low prices. We must make sure that the supply of electricity is always maintained in any situation. Therefore, the federal government of the Kingdom of Belgium has decided to extend the operation of the two nuclear reactors for another 10 years.”

The current geopolitical upheaval is yet another reason to strengthen the position of nuclear power. Before that, since climate change became a worldwide problem, nuclear power was no longer opposed. Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria want to expand existing nuclear power plants. Finland, France and the Czech Republic see atomic energy as a means to achieve climate goals, because nuclear power plants do not emit carbon dioxide.

Professor Damien Ernst – University of Liège, Belgium: “Europe is more dependent on gas today than it was 10 years ago, because Europe wanted to stop developing the civil nuclear industry and even nuclear weapons. In fact, compared to gas or coal, nuclear is a kind of green energy, capable of providing abundant energy without producing harmful emissions. Greenhouse”.

At this time, 103 older generation nuclear reactors are still operating in 13 European Union member countries, providing a quarter of total electricity production. European countries believe that nuclear is not a long-term solution, but it is very suitable in the transition period from oil and gas to renewable energy. The generation of mini nuclear reactors, small enough to be transported on a trailer, safer and more flexible, is being included in a number of European countries in their national energy policies.

British Prime Minister attracts investment in clean energy

If nuclear power is making a comeback, a different kind of energy is being pushed harder than ever. Those are renewable energy sources, which are considered as the “oil-free” solution of the world.

Oily Gulf lands, once avoided talking about climate change in favor of clean energy. But now I am much more confident. Confident because like the United Arab Emirates, on the occasion of the half-century anniversary of its founding, its goal is to become a leading clean energy producer in the world, not the world’s leading clean energy producer. no longer the world’s top oil producer.

It is expected that in the next 3 decades, they will invest about 160 billion USD in clean energy projects in many parts of the world. Western European countries, which are leaders in clean energy, now want to join the Gulf countries to take advantage of their huge capital.

The UK is a country with a special influence on the Gulf countries. Due to historical and geographical factors, many of the Gulf country’s development policies are known to have played a significant role in the minds of British minds. The British Prime Minister’s visit is therefore expected to give powerful voices to the Gulf countries to pour more oil into the market. However, for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the trip has another special purpose.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “The reason for the visit is not only because of oil, these are all the leading renewable energy investors in the UK, especially in wind farms. We need to increase it urgently. current scale of wind power, even though the UK is already one of the leading wind power producing countries in the world.

At the end of last year, the United Arab Emirates decided to invest up to 14 billion USD in the UK’s renewable energy and technology industry. Mubadala Investment Fund of the United Arab Emirates undertakes an investment in the UK which is currently valued at nearly 300 billion USD. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia immediately announced a $1 billion investment in the green fuel sector during Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s visit.

Middle East develops renewable energy

Thus, countries that are famous for being the world’s oil wells have long focused on developing other energy sources, namely renewable energy.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries itself last year had to cut its forecast for when world oil demand would begin to decline. According to them, from 2035, the world will use less and less oil five years earlier than previously forecast. In fact, in recent times, the oil market has fallen into a situation of shortage when countries invest in mining facilities not enough to meet the world’s demand.

The reason for this is also partly due to the fact that oil exporting countries have begun to adjust their extraction policies to gradually adapt to a period of declining oil demand.

The world’s leading oil corporations we have heard about before, such as Saudi Aramco or ADNOC, are now actively investing in clean energy projects. Notably with the United Arab Emirates, their No. 1 clean energy production group, Masdar, recently listed attractive investment locations for clean energy projects. In which Vietnam is mentioned, next to Japan, Korea, the US and the European Union.

* Invite readers to watch programs broadcast by Vietnam Television on TV Online and VTVGo!