Energy vulnerability and its management

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to clarify the distinction between vulnerability and energy dependence of a country and to present simple indicators that are used to analyse energy vulnerability. Design/methodology/approach This paper introduces the different facets of the energy vulnerability concept and discusses the options available to manage risks arising from energy vulnerability. Findings The concept of energy vulnerability takes various forms and cannot be reduced to appreciating the degree of dependency of a country concerning energy supplies. Originality/value The contribution of the paper lies in offering a coherent set of indicators for analysing the energy vulnerability issue and in identifying a potential research area of developing a composite indicator of vulnerability similar to that of the human development indicator.