Energy Security along the New Silk Road
Energy Law and Geopolitics in Central Asia

The impact of the new 'Great Game' on Central Asia's energy reforms illustrates the interconnection between law, geopolitics and institutions.

Anatole Boute (Author)

9781108712927, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 11 March 2021

298 pages, 9 b/w illus. 1 map
23 x 15.2 x 1.5 cm, 0.44 kg

'Energy Security Along the New Silk Road is distinct for it explores a variety of legal components of energy reforms in Central Asia linking them with the state of energy security in a region with an intricate geopolitical context. In the opening, Boute observes that between two models of energy markets - monopolized and competitive - the latter, the deregulated energy market requires more regulation because it involves multifaceted market structure, diverse transactions, and various players. The author presents original comprehensive research, in which the sundry problems of the existing national and regional energy markets are characterized, the cause-effect linkages are analyzed, and the implications are discussed. Finally, and very importantly, Energy Security Along the New Silk Road is convincingly precise in the analysis of the covered topics. This virtue is attained through referencing a massive body of scholarly work, official regulatory documents, and national media sources.' Elena Shadrina, Eurasian Geography and Economics

Guaranteeing energy security is one of the most complex challenges of energy law and policy. Energy insecurity threatens economic development, social peace and stability. This book focuses on energy security in the strategically important region of Central Asia. The region holds huge energy reserves, but its energy systems are highly inefficient and unreliable, and thus require urgent reform. However, endemic corruption, discrimination and the strong centralization of power have so far blocked initiatives to reorganize energy supply. The case of Central Asia is uniquely relevant for understanding the informal constraints on energy law and policy. In addition, Central Asian energy insecurity illustrates the impact of geopolitics on the regulation of energy markets. The region is strategically located in Russia's sphere of influence and along China's New Silk Road. Its energy situation highlights the complex interactions amongst energy law, geopolitics and institutions.

List of figures
Preface and acknowledgments
List of abbreviations
1. Introduction
2. Central Asian energy security
3. Regional energy market reform
4. Corporate restructuring reform
5. Reform of the energy market architecture
6. Tariff reforms
7. Market reform, consumer protection and energy efficiency
8. Non-payment and theft
9. Conclusion
Select bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Energy & natural resources law [LNCR], International environmental law [LBBP], International economic & trade law [LBBM], Privatization [KJVD], Geopolitics [JPSL]