What is an energy deficit?

using more energy than is produced. The difference has to be imported.

What is a country's energy mix?

the combination of energy sources it uses. For example, 40% gas, 30% coal, 30% renewables.

Which is a reason for rising global energy demand?

industrialisation. Factories and transport need energy.

Why is relying on imported energy a risk?

Prices may rise and supplies may be cut off. The country does not control its own supply.

Which source provides much of the energy in many low-income countries?

fuelwood and other biomass. It is cheap and available locally.

Energy supply, demand and security · Cambridge IGCSE Geography

In plain words

The world uses more energy every year, and it is not spread evenly. Some countries sit on more oil and gas than they could ever burn. Others have to buy almost all of theirs, and are at the mercy of the price.

8 things to know

Global energy use is rising because of population growth, economic development and industrialisation, and rising living standards: more cars, appliances and air conditioning.
A country has an energy surplus if it produces more than it uses, and can export. It has an energy deficit if it uses more than it produces, and must import.
Countries with large reserves of oil and gas tend to have a surplus. Many industrial countries with few reserves have a deficit.
Energy security means having a reliable and affordable supply of energy.
It matters because industry, transport, homes and hospitals all depend on energy. Countries that rely on imports are exposed to price rises and to supplies being cut off.
A country's energy mix is the combination of sources it uses.
The mix depends on what resources a country has, its wealth and technology, government policy, and concern for the environment.
In many low-income countries, fuelwood and other biomass supply much of the energy. High-income countries use a wider mix, with more nuclear and modern renewables.

Worked example

Explain why a country that imports most of its energy may want to build wind and solar farms.

Imported fuel has to be paid for, and its price can rise sharply.
Supplies can be interrupted by conflict or political disputes.
Wind and solar power are produced at home, so they improve energy security, and they cut carbon emissions.

Tips and tricks

Energy security has two parts: reliable and affordable. A supply that exists but that people cannot pay for is not secure.
Explain an energy mix using the country's own circumstances: its mountains and rivers, its sunshine, its coal or lack of it, its wealth.

5 questions, about 2 minutes.

It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.

Energy supply, demand and security: 5 questions and answers

These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.

What is an energy deficit?
- producing more energy than is used
- using more energy than is produced (the answer)
- having no energy at all
- wasting energy
The difference has to be imported.
What is a country's energy mix?
- its total energy use
- the combination of energy sources it uses (the answer)
- its electricity price
- its oil reserves
For example, 40% gas, 30% coal, 30% renewables.
Which is a reason for rising global energy demand?
- falling population
- industrialisation (the answer)
- lower living standards
- fewer vehicles
Factories and transport need energy.
Why is relying on imported energy a risk?
- Imported energy is always dirty.
- Prices may rise and supplies may be cut off. (the answer)
- It cannot be stored.
- It is illegal.
The country does not control its own supply.
Which source provides much of the energy in many low-income countries?
- nuclear
- fuelwood and other biomass (the answer)
- tidal
- wave
It is cheap and available locally.

5 questions

Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.

Worksheet

3 questions, 9 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.

Energy supply, demand and security

Cambridge IGCSE Geography 0460 · 9 marks · papermunch.org

Name ______________________________ Date ______________

Give three reasons why global demand for energy is increasing.[3]
Show answerHide answer
The world's population is growing. Countries are industrialising. Living standards are rising, so people use more cars and appliances.
I got this one
Explain what is meant by energy security.[2]
Show answerHide answer
Having a reliable supply of energy at a price people and businesses can afford.
I got this one
Explain two reasons why the energy mix differs between countries.[4]
Show answerHide answer
Countries have different natural resources, such as coal, rivers for HEP or sunshine. Richer countries can afford technology such as nuclear power, while poorer countries rely more on fuelwood.
I got this one

Answers: Energy supply, demand and security

1. The world's population is growing. Countries are industrialising. Living standards are rising, so people use more cars and appliances.
2. Having a reliable supply of energy at a price people and businesses can afford.
3. Countries have different natural resources, such as coal, rivers for HEP or sunshine. Richer countries can afford technology such as nuclear power, while poorer countries rely more on fuelwood.