The Strategic Role of Renewable Energy in the EU After the Energy Crisis: AN EXPLORATORY CASE STUDY INVESTIGATING THE STRATEGIC AND POLITICAL ROLE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY THROUGH THE ANALYSIS OF OFFICIAL EU DOCUMENTS AND SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEWS WITH THE RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR

Vorbeck, Tania Sini

4. semester

International Relations, MSc.

2024

2024-10-15

57 pages

This thesis is an exploratory case study investigating the strategic and political role of renewa-ble energy through analysis of official EU documents and semi-structured interviews with ex-perts from the renewable energy sector. Through the problem formulation: How has the role of renewable energy developed in the EU during and after the energy crisis in 2022? the paper explores the evolving political and strategic importance of renewable energy in the European Union (EU), particularly following the energy crisis and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The study investigates how renewable energy has shifted from being primarily a tool for decarbonization to a key factor in ensuring energy security, reducing dependency on foreign energy sources (especially Russian fossil fuels), and fostering economic and technological au-tonomy within the EU. The thesis employs a qualitative case study approach, analysing EU official documents like the RePowerEU plan, the Net-Zero Industry Act, and the European Economic Security Strategy, as well as conducting semi-structured interviews with industry experts. It integrates theories from Global Political Economy (GPE) and International Political Economy (IPE), fo-cusing on how market forces and political interests intersect and shape energy policies. The key findings show that renewable energy has gained increased strategic importance due to its role in reducing energy dependency, enhancing the EU's competitive position, and contributing to political stability amidst global energy shifts. The EU's response, through initia-tives like RePowerEU, the Net-Zero Industry Act, and the European Economic Security Strate-gy has prioritised diversifying energy supply sources, investing in strategic net-zero technolo-gies, and upscaling the internal production of renewable energy. The study concludes that the energy crisis has not only accelerated the green energy transition in the EU but has also solidified renewable energy’s place as a cornerstone of the region's future economic and geopolitical strategy. This shift underscores the critical intersec-tion of energy policy with broader security, economic, and political goals in the EU.

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