Assessment of energy security in MedRing countries and regional trends towards renewable energy deployment

Energy security is considered as an important driving force for sustaining socioeconomic growth of any nation. The Mediterranean countries (particularly MedRing countries) are witnessing a steady economic growth backed with a relative political stability and improvement of living standards. Moreover, an enormous potential in terms of fossil and renewable energies is still not fully explored in this region. Hence, the establishment of an integrated regional approach for managing the energy sector will most likely enhance energy security and regional cooperation between MedRing countries following the ultimate goal of answering the growing energy demand in the upcoming decades. The aim of this study is to (1.) evaluate the levels of energy security in those countries using four selected indicators and (2) highlight their orientations towards the deployment of renewable energy as an important pillar for ensuring the security of the energy systems in these countries. The results showed that the MedRing countries are highly dependent on imported fossil fuels (except for exporting countries such as Algeria, Libya, and Egypt), and thus, the major share of their CO2 emissions are resulting from the energy sector. On the other hand, renewable and nuclear energies seem to be the ideal alternatives for enhancing energy security and creating mutual, benefits for the two shores of the Mediterranean basin. Published by AIP Publishing.