The opposite of diversification is monopoly... that is the situation most of our countries find ourselves in when you get into non-diverse situation. It creates problems in assuring yourself of an adequate supply of energy under any circumstances. You are subject to having your energy supply cut off, sometimes for reasons that have nothing to do with you. It also very much limits your pricing power. A monopolist charges you whatever the monopolist wants to charge. And if you have no other alternatives, and if this is a critical element of your national economy and your national security, where do you turn? What are the things that you need to do in order to ensure that you have a maximum amount of diversity available to you under the circumstances?
Ambassador John M. Ordway, Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Bulgaria at the round table Energy Diversification and Energy Security, 5 October 2009.
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