What can nations do to make up for the ongoing energy shortfall?

Counting the CostThe Middle East conflict has cut off 20 percent of the world’s fuel supply. Countries are scrambling for alternatives.The disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has cut access to one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply, leaving many countries scrambling for alternatives.So what can they rely on to make up for the shortfall in a quick time?Many Asian countries are turning to coal, reopening shuttered plants and expanding production.Policymakers say immediate energy needs supplant environmental concerns.Others are hoping to turn to renewables. Solar power is now the cheapest form of electricity in many parts of the world. But renewables, especially wind, have faced hostility from the Trump administration.Published On 1 Apr 2026