UN Warns Middle East Turmoil Exposes Fossil Fuel Dependence as Renewables Surge in Four Nations

About one‑fifth of the world’s oil and gas moves through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway now largely closed due to Iran‑U.S. conflict. UN Secretary‑General António Guterres warns this exposes a fossil‑fuel‑dependent energy system to supply shocks, while four countries show renewables can provide 90‑98% of electricity.

The Strait of Hormuz chokepoint carries roughly 20% of global gas and oil supplies, according to UN Energy Statistics Pocketbook 2026 data. Recent Iran‑U.S. tensions have curtailed tanker traffic, tightening markets and raising price volatility. Guterres told the UN General Assembly that such disruptions reveal a global energy system overly reliant on a few fossil‑fuel‑rich regions, making it vulnerable to geopolitical shocks.

- Hydropower supplies about 90‑95% of Norway’s electricity generation, based on national grid reports compiled in the UN Energy Statistics Pocketbook 2026. - Paraguay, Nepal and Ethiopia each generate over 98% of their electricity from renewables, primarily hydropower, with minor solar and wind contributions. - Across the four nations, fossil‑fuel use in power generation remains below 5%, according to the same UN dataset.

The contrast highlights two pathways: a fossil‑fuel‑heavy system exposed to chokepoint risks, and a renewable‑centric model that enhances energy independence and price stability. Countries with high renewable shares experience fewer supply shocks and lower exposure to global oil price swings. Policymakers seeking resilience may prioritize scaling hydropower, wind and solar while reducing fossil‑fuel reliance in electricity.