Top 10 Countries of the Energy Trilemma Index
File Photo taken in the North Sea of the Norwegian oil drilling rig 'Statfjord B'.
Photo: STF/AFP/Getty Images
The top 10 countries in this year’s Energy Trilemma Index all have a few things in common: They are developed countries with higher shares of energy coming from low- or zero-carbon sources that are supported by well-established energy efficiency programs. But the similarities end there, highlighting that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to solving the energy trilemma.
The Index ranks countries in terms of their likely ability to meet and balance the sometimes competing three dimensions of the energy trilemma:
- Energy security: including the management of energy supply from domestic and external sources, the reliability of energy infrastructure, and the ability of participating energy companies to meet current and future demand.
- Energy equity: the accessibility and affordability of energy across the population.
- Environmental sustainability: including supply and demand-side energy efficiencies and the development of energy supply from renewable and other low-carbon sources.
This year’s Index rankings show changes for several countries, including high performers. For example, Germany and Spain are showing downward trends since 2012 and have moved out of the top 10 overall ranking. Mature developed economies are working to craft and finance a successful transition from aging energy systems to ones that serve the needs of economies and societies for the next 50 years and beyond. These changes demonstrate the challenges facing policy makers in crafting policies that support the transition and renewal of energy systems while ensuring affordable energy and a robust energy sector.
The next five years will bring even more changes to the Index as rapidly ongoing technology developments, recent investments and policy decisions will begin to take effect. These include the effects of industrialized emerging economies managing energy demand growth and enhancing environmental sustainability; continued rapid growth in renewable energy in developed and developing countries; and the efforts by developed countries to update aging infrastructure.
