ENSURING UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO MODERN ENERGY SERVICES IN TIMES OF PANDEMIC RELATED DISRUPTIONS: LEGAL CHALLENGES AND POTENTIAL RESPONSES

Damilola Olawuyi 1

Victoria R. Nalule 2

INTRODUCTION

The significant disruptions to global energy markets across the world, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, has shown that without robust law and governance frameworks to mitigate and manage pandemic-related disruptions to energy supply, global efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals may be stifled. This article examines legal and governance aspects of designing and implementing disaster risk reduction and resilience (DRRR) frameworks to ensure the security of energy supply in times of pandemic related disruptions. Various legal and institutional challenges that arise with extant DRRR frameworks, such as weak conceptualization of pandemic related risks in extant legislation; preexisting patterns of uneven energy access; gaps in data collection and sharing with respect to pandemic risks; inadequate crosssectoral coordination amongst institutional actors, and resource limitations are examined in order to identify the ways in which an integrative legal framework on disaster management and resilience planning can help close these gaps. The study suggests that clear and comprehensive legislation that recalibrate the scope of energy disruptions and improves data collection and cross-sectoral knowledge sharing by relevant institutional actors are significant steps towards protecting the integrity and resilience of modern energy systems in times of disruptive events such as pandemics.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Disaster; Resilience; Sustainable Development; Multi-Level Governance; Energy Security.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v12i1.3

1 Damilola Olawuyi, SAN, Professor of Law at HBKU and Director of the Institute for Oil, Gas, Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development (OGEES Institute), Afe Babalola University, Nigeria. Email, dolawuyi@hbku.edu.qa

2 Victoria Nalule is a holder of a PhD in International Energy Law from the University of Dundee, UK. She is a Senior Fellow at OGEES; and visiting lecturer at East African University. She is also the Executive Director of the African Energy and Minerals Management Initiative (AEMI); and CEO of Nalule Energy and Minerals Consultants. Email, v.nalule@nemenergyco.com

ENERGY TRANSITION INDICATORS IN AFRICAN COUNTRIES: MANAGING THE POSSIBLE DECLINE OF FOSSIL FUELS AND TACKLING ENERGY ACCESS CHALLENGES

Victoria Nalule 1

Theophilus Acheampong 2

INTRODUCTION

The global move to tackle climate change as envisaged in the 2015 Paris Agreement has necessitated debates and action geared towards transitioning to a low carbon economy. Although there is no agreed international definition of energy transition, the focus has been put to a shift from fossil fuels to renewables. This paper is intended to contribute to the global debate on energy transition with a focus on the initiatives taking place in a few selected countries. The argument in this paper is to the effect that many developing countries still need fossil fuels to tackle energy access challenges and ensure economic growth. Nevertheless, this does not in any way mean that these countries are climate change deniers. In this respect, the question to be addressed in this article is how can we measure energy transition efforts in developing countries? In responding to this question, the article attempts to develop and analyse some key energy transition indicators.

Keywords: Energy Transitions; Energy Security; Energy Poverty; Africa; SDGs

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v12i1.2

1 Victoria Nalule is a holder of a PhD in International Energy Law from the University of Dundee, UK. She is a Senior Fellow at OGEES; and visiting lecturer at East African University. She is also the Executive Director of the African Energy and Minerals Management Initiative (AEMI); and CEO of Nalule Energy and Minerals Consultants. Email, v.nalule@nemenergyco.com

2 Theophilus Acheampong a holder of a PhD in Petroleum Economics from the University of Aberdeen. He is an Associate Lecturer and Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen. He is also an Associate Lecturer at the University of Dundee.

REGIONAL GAS INTERCONNECTIVITY AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF TRADE IN LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS FOR ENERGY SECURITY OF NON-EU WESTERN BALKAN STATES

ALI OGUZ DIRIOZ* and ERAY ERBIL**

ABSTRACT

The article examines the state of energy security in the Balkans, the level of regional gas interconnectivity and the role of trade in liquefied natural gas (LNG) in enhancing energy security in the region. The study shows that infrastructure investments are required in the Balkans. However, the small size of the Balkan market lowers investment incentives. In this context, the policy entrepreneurship of the EU Commission can increase solidarity and investments in the Balkans. Moreover, planned and existing pipeline-LNG projects in the periphery of the Balkans can enhance the energy security of these countries.

Keywords: Liquefied Natural Gas; Energy Security; the Balkans; European Union.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v10i2.1

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* PhD Student, Department of International Relations. Middle East Technical University (METU), Universiteler Mahallesi, Dumlupinar Bulvari No: 1 Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey. Email: erayerbil@etu.edu.tr

** Researcher, Foundation for International Economic Research and Studies – Econfo, Dumlupýnar Bulvarý No: 266 C Blok Daire: 34 Tepe Prime ÝþveYaþamMerkezi, Ankara, Turkey. Email: eray_erbil@yahoo.com