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The Impact of the Renewable Energy Transition on Rentier Structures: A Case Study of Saudi Arabia since the 2014 Oil Price Plunge
Remsey, Diana Nora ; Kazharski, Aliaksei (advisor) ; Weinfurter, Jaroslav (referee)
1 MA Thesis 2023 Diana Nora Remsey (53969839) Abstract The adoption of renewable energy in rentier states prompts a crucial inquiry into its potential impact and whether it could signal the transformation or eventual decline of the rentier state model. This paper investigates the impact of the renewable energy transition on the rentier structures of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after the 2014 oil price plunge. Through a qualitative case study approach and content analysis of primary and secondary literature, the study explores how Saudi Arabia's efforts to diversify its energy mix and embrace renewable technologies influence its rentier economic model and political structures. The findings reveal significant strides towards renewable energy adoption under the Vision 2030 plan. However, the rentier structures and the role of ruling elites remain largely intact, with a focus on economic growth and political stability. The implications suggest a need for comprehensive approaches to address underlying rentier structures while promoting economic and political reforms for a sustainable energy transition in rentier states.
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Does the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine accelerate Italy's green energy transition? Analysing the impacts of the war on Italy's natural gas security of supply and green energy transition
Zanna, Giordano ; Holubcová, Jitka (advisor) ; Střítecký, Vít (referee)
In the wake of the 2022 Russian-Ukrainian War, Italy's natural gas security and green transition have come under scrutiny. This thesis explores the impact of the conflict on Italy's energy landscape, focusing on its natural gas supply, affordability, and energy diversification strategies. The findings reveal that the conflict significantly impacted Italy's natural gas security by triggering proactive measures from the government to diversify gas sources and enhance energy affordability. However, on the green transition front, short-term priorities emphasized energy security over immediate acceleration towards renewable energy. The study contributes to the field by shedding light on the interplay between geopolitical events and energy security, offering insights for policymakers and researchers.
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Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant and Energy Diplomacy: How Construction of the Akkuyu Power Plant affected Energy Diplomacy between Turkey and Russia? A Process Tracing Approach.
Kolay, Bengi ; Holubcová, Jitka (advisor) ; Ludvík, Jan (referee)
In 2010 a contract was signed between Russian Rosatom and Turkey to build the first Nuclear Power plant (NPP) in Turkey called Akkuyu NPP. The aim of this thesis is to analyze energy diplomacy between Turkey and Russia in context of the construction of Akkuyu. By analyzing energy diplomacy in the context of Akkuyu NPP gives a better understanding of bilateral relations, national interest, economic considerations and security concerns. To study this, explaining the outcome type of Process Tracing (PT) was used as it allows analyses within a case. Akkuyu NPP in itself is unique as it is the first NPP that is built on Build Operate and Own (BOO) principle that is technically owned by the Russian Federation. Three hypotheses were formulated and tested. As a result, out of three hypotheses two were proven. The first hypothesis that argued that the construction of Akkuyu NPP was used as an energy diplomacy tool by Russia to promote national interest was conclusively proven but had some plausible indications. Hypothesis two and three demonstrated that construction of Akkuyu was affected by energy diplomacy and economic considerations and Akkuyu NPP has negatively affected energy diplomacy between Turkey and Russia. From PT results and literature review combined it can be further plausible to say the...
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German energy policy towards Russia after the annexation of Crimea
Etrych Goldscheidová, Jana ; Nigrin, Tomáš (advisor) ; Handl, Vladimír (referee)
This work deals with reasons why Germany have not seen, or rather have not wanted to see, Russia as a dictatorial regime, with which Germany have been building dependent energy relations for decades threatening Germany's energy security. The aim of the work is to reveal motives of democratic Germany leading to energy dependence on an authoritarian country. The work analyzes German-Russian relations, which had been started during the Cold War as part of Brandt's Ostpolitik and strengthened regardless of political parties and wars provoked by Russians in Chechnya, Georgia and Ukraine, as well as by extorting of customer countries when disagreement with Russian international policy. The first chapter looks at Germany from a perspective of an international actor, because unhealthy relationships lead to the limitation of democratic decision-making in domestic and foreign policy, which was evidenced by Germany's reserved attitude to the war in Ukraine 2022. The next chapter explores the length and depth of German-Russian relations. Under heavy lobbying, Schröder pushed for close ties between German and Russian energy industries for a purpose of the economic prosperity of Germany and himself. Although after the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Germany's rhetoric towards Russia was harsh and Germany declared...
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Energy security of Brazil in the context of climate change
Vaněčková, Jana ; Jelen, Libor (advisor) ; Svobodová, Petra (referee)
The following thesis examines the discourse of energy security in Brazil through a critical discursive analysis. The construction of energy discourse is illustrated through the speeches of two presidents and simultaneously two presidential candidates in the October 2022 elections, Jair Bolsonaro and Lula da Silva, in order to reveal hidden patterns and relationships. The relevance of the Amazon region for energy security in the context of climate change, the securitization of the energy sector, the important regions of Brazil in terms of energy security, the importance of hydropower and, in general, the way energy security is constructed by the official discourse, i.e., by the Brazilian government, are identified. The time frame for the analysis is the period from 2002 to 2022. The analysis of the discourses reveals that the Northeast and the North are particularly important regions for energy security. According to the results of the analysis, securitisation of the energy sector is not occurring, but it is a politicised issue used as a tool in international and social politics. However, environmental securitization in Lula's discourse is taking place. The analysis also shows that energy security is threatened by insufficient infrastructure for both presidents and high energy prices for Bolsonaro....
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Impact of nuclear power plants decommissioning: comparison of Germany and the Czech Republic
Myslivcová, Kateřina ; Holubcová, Jitka (advisor) ; Kučerová, Irah (referee)
The diploma thesis examines the effect of decommissioning of nuclear power plants on the energy security of two European countries - Germany and the Czech Republic. First, the author focuses on theoretical anchoring of energy security. The practical part then examines both countries from the perspective of their energy mixes and policies and infrastructure interconnection. This is the starting point for the comparison of the effects of the decommissioning of nuclear power plants. Second, the author presents three scenarios to replace nuclear energy, exploring how German and Czech energy security will change. The first scenario is the use of renewable energy only. The second option is a combination of renewable energy and coal. Finally, the third option is again a certain proportion of renewable energy along with natural gas. Last but not least, the author concludes in the presented paper that, despite the various possible combinations of how to replace nuclear energy, both countries would be worse off within the framework of energy security.
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Presidency of the Council of the EU and energy security. Comparison of Austrian and Czech EU Presidency
Králík, Zbyněk ; Šlosarčík, Ivo (advisor) ; Binhack, Petr (referee)
The diploma thesis "Předsednictví Rady EU a energetická bezpečnost" (The presidency and the energy security) deals with factors relevant for the presidency of the EU. The current debate is highly focused on the size of the presiding country, which leaves very little space for an alternative explanation. The main task of this thesis is therefore to enrich the debate. The main method is comparing the two presidencies on the basis of the concept of energy security. The energy security was a relevant topic due to the context of the presidencies given by the interruptions in gas supply from Russia. Both countries differed in three relevant factors: the foreign orientation (relationship to Russia), the presidency style and the type of coordination mechanism. This diploma thesis tests the relevance of these factors on the presidency.
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Current diversification scenarios of the Russian Federation on one side and the V4 countries on the other with respect to the interdependence theory
Záhradníková, Lea ; Holubcová, Jitka (advisor) ; Kučerová, Irah (referee)
The thesis focuses on current diversification scenarios in the field of gas supply the Visegrad Group (V4) and the Russian Federation relying on the model of asymmetrical interdependence. Russian Federation, the main supplier of natural gas to this region, has lost its status of a reliable partner due to the gas wars with Ukraine in 2006 and 2009, which have negatively affected the supply of natural gas to the EU countries. The research focuses on the current diversification options of V4 countries related to their suppliers and supply routes with respect to their relationship with the Russian Federation; the diversification options for the purchasing markets of the Russian Federation are also analyzed. The author validates the hypothesis that energy relations among the Visegrad countries and the Russian Federation in the field of gas supply are largely controlled by the asymmetric interdependence that is currently exacerbating tensions among the set actors. Current diversification scenarios are presented and evaluated, with the aim of assessing the importance of the projects with regard to actors' energy security. Keywords: interdependence, energy security, diversification, gas supply, gas interconnector, V4, Energy Union, Russian Federation, Nord Stream II, LNG
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China's energy security and policy towards Africa
Harmašová, Natálie ; Kučerová, Irah (advisor) ; Karmazin, Aleš (referee)
The goal of the thesis was to shed light on the ways in which the People's Republic of China secures its energy security and identify the role of Chinese investments in Africa. The economic development results in increased demand for energy resources. In 1993 China became a net oil importer. Conceptualization of energy security in China consists in strengthening relations with oil-rich countries. In certain areas such as industry, transportation and military oil represents for now to that extent of use an irreplaceable source of energy. Therefore I will focus on activities of the People's Republic of China. More specifically, I will focus on investment activities of China in Sudan/South Sudan and Libya. Compared to the West, China seems to be a convenient business partner as it abides by the noninterference into another state's affairs rule. The rationale behind this principle is that every state has a right to choose its model of governance development while taking into consideration its unique conditions. Additionally, China puts emphasis on mutual benefits of South-South cooperation and does not condition investments with the request for changes in political system and banking sector of a recipient state. China chooses its partner countries based on political and stability and state of security...
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