Countries Shift Toward Domestically Secure Energy Sources Amid Global Tensions

Amid rising geopolitical friction, nations are prioritizing energy that can be defended at home, with China labeling coal its “ballast stone” and expanding thermal capacity despite a surge in renewables.

In a world marked by deglobalisation and conflict, governments are reshaping their energy strategies around fuels they can protect and control. China has rebranded coal as a “ballast stone,” adding roughly 30 GW of thermal capacity even as solar output reached parity with coal at 1,274 GW. This reflects a broader pattern where energy security—availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability—supersedes climate goals.

The article cites Russia’s gas weaponisation, Ukraine’s infrastructure attacks, and Iran’s Strait of Hormuz closures as catalysts for this shift. India is simultaneously expanding renewable capacity and planning substantial coal and nuclear additions, while Europe prepares to pay higher prices for a mixed mix, including coal, to avoid supply concentration. The United States leverages its cheap domestic fuels and aims to quadruple nuclear output by 2050, positioning itself as a secure supplier for allies. Overall, the piece warns that analysts who ignore security constraints may misjudge future retirements and redundancy in power systems.