Access to Energy Resources

Access to Energy Resources

The distribution and access to energy resources around the world is uneven. Some countries have abundant energy supplies, while others struggle to provide enough energy for their populations. This unevenness is influenced by geology, climate and relief, and accessibility and development.

Geology

• Fossil fuels are the world’s main source of energy and are mostly found in sedimentary rocks.
• Oil and gas reserves are highly concentrated in the Middle East.
  • The region holds about 48% of global oil reserves and 43% of global gas reserves, mainly in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran.
• Coal reserves are unevenly spread. Major deposits are in China, Russia and the USA.
• Geothermal energy is available in countries on or near plate boundaries (where volcanic activity heats groundwater).
  • Example: Iceland and New Zealand use geothermal energy for electricity generation and heating homes.

Key point: Geology determines whether countries have fossil fuel or geothermal resources.

Relief and Climate

Hydroelectric Power (HEP)

• Requires high rainfall and suitable valleys to build dams.
• Example: the Three Gorges Dam in China, one of the world’s largest dams, generates massive amounts of renewable electricity.

Wind energy

• Countries with a long coastline can develop offshore wind farms.
• Example: the London Array (UK) in the North Sea has 175 wind turbines, producing 630MW of electricity to power 584,000 homes, reducing emissions by 925,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Solar energy

• Regions with long hours of intense sunlight can develop solar farms.
• Example: China’s Gobi Desert solar farm uses 6 million solar panels, generating 5.7 billion kWh annually, powering 2 million homes and cutting 4.7 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year.

Key point: A country’s climate and landscape control its renewable energy potential.

Accessibility and Development

• Levels of technology and development affect whether countries can effectively exploit their energy resources.
• Low-income countries (LICs) may have large fossil fuel reserves, but lack the technology and investment to extract them.
  • Often, transnational corporations (TNCs) extract resources, exporting profits overseas rather than benefitting the host country.
• Potential for renewable energy (solar, wind, HEP) exists in many poorer regions, but:
  • Projects are expensive to build.
  • Remote locations increase costs.
  • National grids may not be developed enough to distribute electricity.
• Millions of people worldwide still lack reliable access to electricity, relying instead on burning biomass (wood, dung, crop waste), which causes deforestation and indoor air pollution.

Key point: A country’s level of development affects its ability to access energy resources, even if it has large reserves or renewable potential.