Problem
Inequality in distribution of energy resources among countries
Other Names:
International maldistribution of electrical energyEnergy deficient countries
Nature:
The rate of progress of energy resource development in many developing countries has been quite inadequate both in relation to their potential endowment as well as their requirements for various kinds and types of energy. This is particularly the case for the least developed, low-income, energy deficient developing countries where even the basic knowledge of resource occurrence is extremely sparse and fragmentary. Compounding the problem is that developing countries have, almost without exceptions, faced considerable economic difficulties during the last few years, which have overshadowed all other developmental concerns, including energy. Also, many have lacked the financial resources necessary for a certain degree of autonomy in planning the development of the energy sector, and have also lacked the manpower resources to staff the various functions needed to support integrated energy policy-making.
Incidence:
Per capita commercial energy consumption in developing countries is only 2% of that of the developed world.
Broader Problems:
Maldistribution of energy consumptionGeographically disadvantaged countriesMaldistribution of productive capacityInequitable access to natural resources Aggravates:
HungerNeutralityEnergy crisisDumping radioactive substancesDeforestationDependence on oilAcidic precipitationEnvironmental pollutionUnderdevelopment of countriesProhibitive cost of electricityCompetitive acquisition of armsEnergy dependence and vulnerabilityLack of integrated energy resource managementUnequal distribution of production among countriesUnequal distribution of production among countries Strategies:
Distributing available electrical energyImporting energyReducing inequality of distribution of energy resources among countriesRestricting electrical energy References:
Smil, V and Knowland, W E: Energy in the Developing World: the real energy crisisFoley, Gerald: Electricity for Rural People Subject(s):
Resources → EnergyResources → Resources
Societal Problems → Deprivation
Societal Problems → Imbalances
Technology → Electricity
Transportation, Telecommunications → Distribution
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
D: Detailed problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST