Energy imports strengthen resilience, not dependence

Japan experienced a significant energy crisis in 2011 due to a powerful 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that caused a nationwide shutdown of its nuclear energy generation, resulting in a loss of around 30% of its electricity supply. This led Japan to increase its dependence on fossil fuel imports to stabilize its energy system during the crisis. Meanwhile, Germany found itself in a precarious position before the Ukraine conflict in 2022, heavily relying on Russia for about 65% of its natural gas. As the situation escalated, Germany utilized global energy markets to diversify its supply sources and mitigate dependence on Russian gas, ultimately showcasing the importance of flexibility and diversified energy imports. In Texas, however, a severe winter storm exposed a different reality. The state’s energy grid operates largely in isolation from the rest of the United States, leaving Texas unable to import power to bridge the gaps caused by collapsing energy generation capacity during the crisis. Although Texas prided itself on energy independence, this independence did not translate into resilience. The state's lack of infrastructure and legal frameworks to facilitate energy imports left it vulnerable during the extreme winter conditions. These examples illustrate that the strategic management of energy trade can enhance resilience and security, particularly when countries balance domestic energy sources with diversified foreign imports to reduce systemic risks and enhance overall stability.