Atlantic Council

Historically, energy security has played a central role in shaping the national security strategy and interests of the Baltic states. The diverse challenges that exist in the region make it necessary to focus on identifying areas of cooperation between the countries as they pursue diversified oil and gas supplies. This is crucial to achieve a regional approach to the European Union’s common energy security goals.

The Energy & Environment Program issue brief entitled, Baltic Energy Security: Building a European Energy Future, written by Associate Director Mihaela Carstei, addresses these questions and more, laying out a plan to ensure medium- and long-term physical and political security of energy supplies in the Baltic region. It suggests building interconnectivity among the Baltic states as well as connecting the region to the European energy market, diversification of indigenous supplies of energy, unbundling of power and gas generation, and eliminating structural rigidities and achieving market-based pricing. These developments are not a silver bullet for resolving regional challenges, nor will they replace all energy supplies coming from Russia, but implementing the proscribed policies will help to ensure that the medium- and long-term plans are on schedule, and that insecurity is temporary.