Energy sustainability evolution in the Mediterranean countries and synergies from a global energy scenario for the area

Abstract

Energy supply is essential for the development of any society and search for energy sustainability is a must with poverty reduction and environmental sustainability as the two challenges to consider for any energy scenario. Meanwhile environmental damage receives predominant attention in the energy sustainability analysis, a lack of attention exists to others, such as external dependence for energy supply or availability of enough energy for people. However, these factors also compromise the sustainability of the assumed policies. An analysis considering these three factors has been developed and applied to countries in the Mediterranean area by considering two well-defined zones: the North side with an adequate level of energy consumption, but with excessive CO2 emissions and high external dependence on energy supply; and, by the contrary, the Middle East and North African countries, with a deficit in energy supply, but without problems in CO2 emissions and external energy supply. Results show a requirement of a 100% renewable scenario for the countries in the North area, while those in the MENA need to increase drastically their energy demand with a significant contribution from renewable sources. Assuming a global scenario for the entire area, energy sustainability could be reached with less demanding requirements.