The Sun, Wind and the World Order: The Geopolitics of Renewable Energy

The global shift toward renewable energy is fundamentally altering international power dynamics by enabling nations to achieve greater energy self-sufficiency. While traditional fossil fuel markets concentrate power in resource-rich regions, renewable technologies like solar and wind power allow countries to generate energy within their own borders. For instance, the United States’ ambitious goal of achieving 100% clean electricity by 2035 could dramatically reduce its need for oil and gas imports, strengthening its diplomatic independence. This mirrors the European Union’s strategic pivot toward renewables, which aims to decrease reliance on Russian natural gas—historically a powerful tool of Moscow’s influence.

Beyond its environmental advantages, this energy transition represents a seismic shift in global influence.BIPSS Research Assistant Nabib Bin Zahid stated in this commentary that as nations develop robust renewable infrastructure, they become less vulnerable to foreign energy pressure and gain greater autonomy in international affairs. This transformation suggests a future where energy independence, rather than resource control, shapes geopolitical relationships.