The security of German energy sources: a diversification strategy in the Middle East

Faced with the risks associated with excessive concentration of energy supplies, Germany is shifting its policy to secure its energy sources through strategic diversification. Chancellor Olaf Scholz is placing the Middle East at the center of this effort, aiming to reduce dependence on American liquefied natural gas (LNG) and to strengthen the energy resilience of Europe’s largest economy.

A diplomatic tour to the Middle East to secure supplies

According to Jin10, Olaf Scholz will undertake a regional trip accompanied by a delegation of influential business leaders. The program includes a visit to Riyadh to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, followed by stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, before returning to Berlin. This tour reflects the strategic importance of the Middle East in reconfiguring German energy sources, particularly to secure alternative LNG supplies to those from the United States.

The risks of energy dependence on the United States

Susanne Nies, energy expert at the Helmholtz Center in Berlin, highlights the vulnerabilities associated with a high concentration of energy sources from a single supplier. She emphasizes the dangers of excessive dependence on the United States, especially given recent political developments and the potential risks of geopolitical blackmail. These concerns reflect a broader worry about the stability of European energy supplies.

Claudia Kemfert, head of the Energy, Transport, and Environment Department at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), shares this critical view. She stresses that diversifying energy sources should not simply replace one supplier with another but should be part of a deeper transformation.

Moving toward alternative and sustainable energy sources

To mitigate the risks of geopolitical dependence, experts propose a more varied energy portfolio. Among the alternatives considered are increasing LNG deliveries from Norway, Canada, and Australia, which would diversify energy sources without increasing vulnerability to a single partner.

However, Claudia Kemfert goes further, recommending that Germany seize this opportunity to reduce its overall dependence on fossil fuels. This approach advocates for a more ambitious energy transition, where diversification of traditional energy sources is accompanied by a strengthening of renewable energies and a gradual reduction in reliance on hydrocarbons.