The global energy sector is entering a new phase of dependence on critical minerals—resources without which the development of renewable energy, battery systems, and electric mobility would be impossible. Demand for these materials is growing rapidly, reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the energy future.

According to international research centers, demand for lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements has increased several-fold over the past five years. These minerals are key components in the production of batteries, high-efficiency electric motors, inverters, transformers, and equipment for solar and wind power plants. Without them, a large-scale transition to low-carbon energy is impossible.

The geography of critical mineral extraction remains extremely concentrated: a few countries control up to 70% of global reserves and processing. This creates new risks for energy security, as any political or economic changes could disrupt global supply chains. In response, governments and corporations are investing in diversifying sources, developing processing capabilities, and building strategic reserves.

At the same time, interest is growing in technologies for reusing and recycling batteries, which could reduce dependence on primary mining. Experts predict that by 2035, the critical minerals market will become one of the most dynamic segments of the energy economy, and control over these resources will determine countries’ competitiveness in the clean energy sector.

Critical minerals are becoming a strategic linchpin of the energy transition—a resource that will determine the pace of technological development, the stability of energy systems, and the global balance of power in the new energy landscape.