Energy Convergence and Regional Energy Security: Policy Implications

Energy security and its relationship with the energy convergence of Asian countries is an important issue in moving toward long-term sustainable development in Asia. This chapter discusses the concept of energy security and energy convergence in Asian countries. The 4As framework in energy security is employed and energy security patterns in 2010, 2015, and 2018 are analyzed in this chapter. This is used to discuss the similarity of patterns and long-term convergence between different Asian countries based on government effectiveness, income level, and role in the energy market. The main concluding points of this chapter reveal that the position of Asian countries in energy supply and demand affects the pattern of energy security. The pattern of energy security in importing countries, unlike exporting countries, has improved. Government effectiveness is another important factor in shaping the energy security model of Asian countries. The income level is fundamental in the energy security model of Asian countries. Asian countries with high per capita incomes have improved their energy security dimensions over time, while in Asian countries with low per capita incomes, the pattern of energy security has become more unfavorable. The major policy implications of this chapter are an emergency implementation of reforms in the structure of government and government-affiliated institutions in some Asian countries and convergence of national interests of Asian countries in the field of energy.