Energy Self-sufficiency (or not) of the EU versus China[Energetická (ne)soběstačnost Evropská unie versus Čína]

The European Union and China have available to them on their respective territory, or dependencies, limited energy sources which can, in individual cases, satisfy domestic demand. However, it is necessary to import a large part of the primary energy for domestic consumption. Domestic energy capacities are not the most important factors which influence the EU's and China's current situations. The composition of the energy mix is just as important, as are the energy resources available to neighbouring and distant trade partners; the technological development, character and phase of growth of their economies and their approach to the environment. The EU and China find themselves in a rather unsatisfactory situation, energywise; their level of dependency is high and the energy needs of their economies are constantly growing. The aim of the article is to analyse the vulnerability of these two large economies from the point of view of their energy self-sufficiency [or not], compare their energy situations and give reasons for the great variations and their specifics.