Energy Politics in the MENA Region: From Hydrocarbons to Renewables?

• Author: Altintas, Mustafa

By Valeria Talbot

Milan: Ledi Publishing, 2022, 125 pages, [euro]12.00, ISBN: 9788855268233

The book Energy Politics in the MENA Region: From Hydrocarbons to Renewables?, edited by Valeria Talbot, brings together well-researched chapters that provide a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the energy landscape in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in response to Europe's energy crisis. European Union (EU) has come across an energy crisis because of the Russia and Ukraine war. In the short run, the EU must replace gas coming from Russia with another source. In the long run, the EU aims to abandon fossil fuels completely. The significance of this topic extends beyond the EU's energy security, as it also has significant implications for global energy politics. Such a landscape increases the importance of MENA countries. The book, which is presented as a report, tries to show possible roadmaps for the EU.

The book consists of five chapters, excluding the introduction and conclusion. The book begins by discussing the EU's energy crisis and its consequences for the MENA area, setting the stage for a thorough examination of the complex interaction between energy resources, geopolitics, regional cooperation, and the quest for sustainable energy alternatives. The EU faces several challenges to convert its energy toward renewable ones. In general, the book also highlights that the MENA region may be a renewable energy source, as most of the countries have a suitable climate for solar energy.

The first chapter sets the stage for the subsequent chapters by emphasizing the MENA region's relevance as a crucial partner for the EU in terms of energy security. With its huge hydrocarbon reserves, established export infrastructure, and closeness to European energy markets, the MENA area is considered a vital partner in this endeavor. Any cooperation of the EU with MENA countries to diversify its energy sources and reduce reliance on conventional hydrocarbon suppliers such as Russia could be a solution for the current energy crisis both in the short and long term. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of regional stability and economic growth in guaranteeing the long-term viability of this cooperation.

Chapter 2 analyzes Algeria's renewable energy development potential, including good solar and wind power conditions. Despite this potential, renewable energy deployment in Algeria has been modest, and the country's large hydrocarbon income...