What factors affect energy availability?

A range of factors affect the availability of energy, including physical factors, the cost of exploitation and production, technology, and political factors.

Physical factors

Geology affects the availability of fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal. The formation of fossil fuels involves the storage of organic matter in sediments or sedimentary rocks. Therefore, regions with predominantly sedimentary geology are likely to have fossil fuel availability.

Climate and relief can also affect the extraction of fossil fuels. Mountainous areas and regions with extreme climates present challenges for extracting fossil fuels and their transportation. Examples of such areas include Alaska and Siberia.

Considerable reserves of fossil fuels are found beneath deep and dangerous oceans and seas. This presents significant challenges in extracting fossil fuels.

Physical factors present some opportunities for renewable energy. For example, upland regions are ideally suited for constructing dams and reservoirs to support hydroelectric power production. Areas with reliable sunshine can be used to generate solar energy. Finally, windy locations can be used to create electricity using turbines.

Cost of exploitation and production

As non-renewable energy resources are depleted, they become increasingly expensive to extract. The cost of exploitation often depends on supply and demand. As demand increases, prices rise, and extraction becomes more viable.

Where energy production costs are low, energy is cheap, and demand can grow. The opposite can also occur.

Technology

Technological developments have enabled new energy resources, such as fracking, to be exploited.

There has also been considerable growth in renewable energy as technology has made it more economically viable and productive.

Political factors

Conflicts have occurred due to energy insecurity, for example, in the Middle East. Flows of energy can be interrupted as a result of disputes. An example is Libya, where oil exports have been reduced due to conflict.

To maintain energy supply, HICs actively maintain good relationships with foreign countries.