You are correct. This is man made, there is plenty of cheap energy, and they are doing everything to make it as expensive as possible. Controlling the global energy supply, impoverishing millions, and cementing their role at the top of society is the game. Why give the plebs growth and opportunity, when you can reduce them to serfs? The deer tats of William the Conqueror ruled 900 years, Ghengis Khans descendants ruled 800 years. This is what the current oligarchs want.