Globalization. It’s the new trend in everything — energy included. As such, it’s more important than ever to consider energy security both individually and collectively. Every year, governing bodies release a report assessing energy risk for the top 25 energy-using countries. The report is comprehensive but, due to lag time in usage and data collection, retroactive. Thus the 2018 report provides the 2016 standings.
Top 5 Lowest Risk Countries
- Denmark – With an energy risk score of 788, Denmark rounds out the Top 5 lower risk countries. It has placed in the Top 5 since 1998. The country has increased Fuel Import Exposure and Energy Expenditure risks continuously since 2000.
- Mexico – Like Denmark, Mexico’s energy risk score is 788 although the country’s total score earned it a ranking marginally higher. Historically, Mexico has ranked extremely well with the exception of 2014 and 2015 where it fell out of the Top 5.
- United Kingdom – The UK’s energy risk score is 769 which was low enough to rank third in the 2018 report. It spent 9 years in the number one position, but has been steadily declining in relation to the OECD benchmark average since 2005 thanks to increasing risks related to imports and electricity pricing.
- United States – A risk score of 765 placed the U.S. a solid 4 points above the U.K. and earned it a second place finish in the energy security risk rankings. Second place is the highest the country has ranked. It’s consistent top finish is owed largely to the crude oil and natural gas production revolution currently sweeping the country.
- Norway – Norway has held the number one position in the index since 2006. It’s current score, 678, is 87 points above the second-place contender, and the country has not fallen below third place since 1980.
Top 5 Highest Risk Countries
- Japan – The country can thank the Fukushima Daiichi incident of 2011 for it’s dismal score of 1,154. Japan has lost significant ground in the rankings as its score is improving much slower than that of the OECD average.
- Turkey – Turkey’s energy risk score is 1198, a massive fall from it’s #6 spot in the 1980s. The country fell from grace in 1987 thanks to increased risk related to imports required for new gas-fired power stations. Unfortunately, the score has been in steady decline since then.
- South Korea – A stark lack of domestic energy resources is just one of the reasons South Korea scored 1398 in the 2018 report. The country has never ranked higher than 21st.
- Thailand – Thailand has remained in 24th place since 2001. This year’s report scores risk was 1556. Low production rates and high demand rates, along with a significant spend on imported fuels as shares of GDP are responsible for Thailand’s placement.
1. Ukraine – With an energy security risk ranking of 1842, Ukraine placed bottom of the list in the 2018 report. The country has held last place since 1992, although it has been gaining on the OECD average unlike runner-up Thailand, which has been losing ground.