Governance & Policy
Security of Supply
Definition
Security of supply is the reliable availability of energy to meet demand, at acceptable prices, over time — traditionally measured through import dependence, fuel diversity and infrastructure resilience. The IEA defines energy security as the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price, with short-term (system flexibility to shocks) and long-term (investment adequacy) dimensions.
References
This reference provides supporting context for how “Security of Supply” is defined and used.
Source imported for editorial provenance.
Overview
How it is used
The concept structures national energy strategies, IEA emergency response mechanisms (oil stocks), EU energy policy (REPowerEU), and critical minerals strategy.
Why it matters
Energy security and sustainability were once seen as rivals; the transition increasingly aligns them — domestic renewables are both clean and uninterruptible by embargo.