EU Energy Sector in the Context of Geopolitical Changes

This bachelor thesis deals with the energy sector of the European Union in the context of recent geopolitical changes caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The main objective of this bachelor thesis is to examine and evaluate the energy relations of the EU in light of current geopolitical changes and to identify the key factors influencing the future direction of these relations. In the first theoretical part, the bachelor thesis deals mainly with the relationship between energy and geopolitics and the concept of energy security. The second part firstly focuses on the EU energy sector as such, especially on the EU energy policy. Furthermore, the chapter deals with relations with Russia and Ukraine as key countries for the supply of energy raw materials to Europe. The third part analyses the actual impact of the Russian invasion on the EU energy system. Furthermore, this section discusses the REPowerEU plan, which provides a set of measures taken to minimize the undesirable effects caused by the invasion. In the context of this plan, particular attention will be paid to the potential role of green (renewable) hydrogen in the EU's energy sector, which could help accelerate the whole sector’s green transition. Unable to meet its own demand, the EU is currently seeking to establish new partnerships with countries from where it could import this green hydrogen in large volumes. The chapter will present and analyse these countries in order to identify the most suitable partnership. At the very end, the chapter will try to outline further possible developments in the EU energy sector.