Politics of Energy Trilemma in the Contemporary World. Where is the Truth?

Energy access continues to lead to conundrums in many forms. One of such conundrums is the endless competition and imbalance of politics, economics, and environment, which form trilemma of energy policy and which hinder energy access and deepen energy poverty. This study argues that energy trilemma can be resolved through energy good governance. Energy good governance provokes debates on both neoliberal and conservative discourses on energy access and efficiency. It argues that equality, rule of law; respect for human rights, accountability and transparency should form the quintet of Energy Good Governance (EGG). To clearly comprehend the EGG, the study appraises the applicability and the implementation of the equality, rule of law, respect for human rights, accountability and transparency in energy projects in South Sudan, East African Community and European Union. Moreover, the study assesses the national energy polices of South Sudan, regional, and global energy policies. While the study in detail evaluates the energy access and poverty, it critically analyses the 2015 Paris Agreement, particularly on its impact on national, regional and international level energy trilemma. Although energy access remains a problem as its impacts energy poverty and halt energy transition, energy access can be improved through EGG policy and in particular, through deepening economic development energy policies for South Sudan and the region. The study deploys case study of South Sudan, EAC and European Union in understanding the conundrums of energy access. The study also analyzes the impact of Russia-Ukraine war on global access to energy. It uses process tracing in deepening the comprehension of the casual chains and casual mechanisms in energy trilemma paradox. While the study concludes the importance of energy good governance as the true way of resolving energy trillemma, it recommends further studies on impact of energy good governance on energy transition in East Africa.