Pooling Regional Energy Between China, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, and Russia

This paper assesses the energy requirements and potential of China, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and Turkey in the context of the geostrategic locations of these countries. It notes that the demand, potential, and actual supply of energy in these countries make a viable prospect for a framework, whereby these countries pool their energy together for the benefit of each country. While there are certain initiatives already in place, there is potential for more bilateral or regional energy-sharing initiatives. The current and proposed frameworks of energy-sharing have laid an infrastructure of pipelines or communication corridors. Based on these factors, the paper proposes an energy corridor between these countries, titled ‘Golden Ring Energy Corridor' (GREC). This corridor will connect the ‘golden ring countries' to enable energy trade through pipeline, land, and sea routes among these states. A strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of the proposed corridor takes account of the various internal and external factors that have the potential to contribute positively or negatively towards the completion and viability of this corridor. Some countermeasures have also been suggested so that the implementation of this corridor can be realized.