An Evaluation of Traditional and Clean Energy Resources in the BRICS+ Nations

Abstract

BRICS has made various global headlines in 2024 due to its expansion to include other countries (BRICS+). The acronym was originally used for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The expansion in 2024 created an intergovernmental organization of ten member nations to now include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The organization accounts for half the world's population and over one-third of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The sizable population of BRICS+ poses significant regional energy demands. Sustainable energy consumption is a major issue in international politics, as global leaders are attempting to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emission levels by transitioning to a clean energy economy. BRICS+ nations are taking steps to achieve their energy demands from clean and renewable energy sources. While the member nations account for more than two-thirds of the world's crude oil production, they have pledged to achieve 80 percent of their energy demand from clean energy resources by 2050, Considering its rich resources and technological advancement, BRICS+ has immense potential for growth in the energy sector. This article discusses the energy demand and its traditional and non-traditional production sources. The research is largely based on secondary data and attempts to illustrate future scenarios through energy trend evaluation.