ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES AS BASIS OF ENERGY SECURITY IN THE LEADING COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD

Abstract

The article provides an analysis of the political goals of the leading countries of the world in terms of energy efficiency and the transition to alternative energy sources, and concludes that energy efficiency is in the focus of policy not because of environmental factors, but due to the strengthening of energy security in certain Western countries. The priority of energy efficiency as the basis of energy security leads to a situation when cheap energy resources of the exporting country are not considered a competitive advantage. An environment where not only economic (economic expediency), but also political choice (the search for new spheres of influence) is crucial, is emerging. Solving energy problems goes beyond the limits of standard economic tasks and is impossible without political goal-setting and will. Improving energy efficiency can create new competitive advantages for the state, such as universal access to energy. It is not possible to make a rapid transition to alternative energy sources, but in the long term, an active policy on energy efficiency and the use of alternative sources can yield high results in the energy sector. Competition in the world in the field of non-renewable energy sources will increase in the future, therefore, solving the problem of energy efficiency should be a top priority in order to prevent public issues such as the energy security of future generations. In this regard, it is important to identify the relationship between energy efficiency, the use of alternative energy sources and energy security in Russia's economic policy and to approve the priority of energy efficiency at all levels: national, regional and municipal one.