In the beaconing decades, the way of energy production is expected to alter crucially: demand will be met mainly by local renewable sources while they will be reduced by the enhancement of energy-efficiency. In the middle-term, this will also provide a solution to our security of supply challenges as well.
However until their complete replacement fossil fuels must be available, therefore securing our oil and gas supply is inevitable. A common feature of these energy sources is that Europe lacks the reserves necessary to meet its own demand, so it needs to secure their availability from geographically distinct sources. The problem is further complicated as due to economic growth the demand for energy increases year-by-year worldwide, while the scope of easily extractable reserves is shrinking.
Consequently, the economic-political centers of the world need to compete for the various resources, while the countries possessing the lion’s share of the sources can utilize them in advancing their interests in other fields.
In the case of natural gas supply, a consensus is outlining in Europe. Essentially, this implies the diversification of sources as well as the supply routes. This is especially important when Hungary is concerned, whose one-sided dependency became extreme (we cover our natural gas supply from a single source, using one single pipeline). The real challenge is naturally the formulation of concrete responses: which shall be those alternative sources and alternative supply routes, how shall the costs of diversification be divided, and how could the realization of these objectives be reconciled with our other interests?
With regard to the oil supply the question is perhaps not that urgent. Still it seems reasonable to raise the question, how long can current international practice concerning the securing of these sources endure. Thus the perspective revision of the presently applied instruments and approaches as well as the distribution of burdens between the different countries (or group of countries) is necessary.
From the mentioned statements it clearly follows that due to Hungary’s situation and international leverage, our interests can only be pursued efficiently within the framework of the European Union. Therefore the formulation of a common European energy policy and a concerted effort for its realization are elementary interests of the country.
 
Within the framework of the Energy Security of Europe program area the Energy Policy Division contributes to the work of  the European Union (including Hungary) to cope with this complex challenge by the formulation of appropriate policies.

The Nabucco Pipeline and the southeastern gas corridor – perspectives of the European energy security