Anchor point: Overview
In an increasingly unstable geopolitical environment, energy security means more than ensuring a stable supply of energy. It covers reducing price volatility, increasing resilience against blackouts and extreme weather, and reducing exposure to geopolitical coercion.
Nations strengthen security by combining homegrown renewables, electrification, flexible grids, storage and cross-border interconnection to deliver affordable, reliable and resilient power.
Anchor point: #FossilDependenceDay
#FossilDependenceDay marks the day of the year from which an economy relies on imported fossil fuels for its energy. Even some major economies require fossil imports to meet the vast majority of their energy needs for the year, leaving them exposed to price volatility and supply shocks. Japan relies on fossil imports to meet more than 80% of its primary energy demand, effectively leaving the country exposed for more than 300 days a year.
There is a more secure option: electrifying transport, buildings and industry, powered by homegrown renewable electricity.
Anchor point: Our work
Ember’s research identifies the key enablers of energy security in a changing energy landscape. These include scaling domestic clean power, accelerating electrification and improving flexibility to maintain stability during periods of stress.
Through this work, Ember contributes to policy and public debate on energy security, including engagement with policy institutions and the broader security community.
Energy security is a complex concept — it’s about affordability, reliability, stability and more. That’s why system-level solutions are needed. China’s experience shows it’s not enough to keep adding clean megawatts; you need a ‘clean mega-system’ that can integrate variable renewables while keeping the grid stable and reliable. Building that system isn’t cheap, but neither are new gas pipelines, or LNG terminals. If we’re serious about long-term security and prosperity, we need to invest in the future energy system now, rather than doubling down on the past.
Fossil-importing nations are like frogs in boiling water, failing to detect the gradually increasing danger. Import dependency has been rising for decades, and now Donald Trump has turned up the heat to a boil. Electrotech offers the fastest escape route from this escalating threat.
Anchor point: Our experts
Ember is an energy think tank that aims to accelerate the clean energy transition with data and policy. Ember is the trading name of Ember Energy Research CIC, a Community Interest Company registered in England & Wales #06714443. 'Ember' is a trademark held at the United Kingdom and European Union Intellectual Property Offices. All content is released under a Creative Commons Attribution Licence (CC-BY-4.0). Website powered by 100% renewable electricity.
