Share of renewables in the EU27 energy supply almost doubled between 1999 and 2009

In 2009, oil remained the main source of energy in the EU27, with a share of 37% in the total gross inland energy consumption¹. However, there have been changes in the mix of sources contributing to gross inland energy consumption over the last decade. The share of renewable energy has almost doubled, from 5% of total gross inland energy consumption in 1999 to 9% in 2009, while gas rose from 22% to 24%. Nuclear energy remained almost stable at 14% during this period, while oil fell from 39% to 37% and solid fuels from 18% to 16%.

These figures² are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union in connection with the EU Sustainable Energy Week³ from 11 to 15 April 2011, which promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Renewable energy main source in Latvia and Sweden

Oil represented more than half of energy supply in Malta (100% of total gross inland energy consumption), Cyprus (96%), Luxembourg (63%), Greece (55%), Ireland (52%) and Portugal (50%). The highest shares of gas were observed in the Netherlands (43%), Italy and the United Kingdom (both 38%) and Hungary (36%). The largest proportions for solid fuels were registered in Estonia (58%), Poland (54%), the Czech Republic (41%) and Bulgaria (36%), for nuclear energy in France (40%), Lithuania (34%) and Sweden (29%), and for renewable energy in Latvia (36%), Sweden (34%), Austria (27%) and Finland (23%).

Largest increases in the share of renewable energy in Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Portugal

Renewable energy comprises hydro, wind, biomass, geothermal and solar energy. All Member States showed increases in the share of renewable energy in their energy supply between 1999 and 2009, with the largest increases in Denmark (from 8% of total gross inland energy consumption in 1999 to 17% in 2009), Sweden (from 27% to 34%), Germany (from 2% to 8%), Portugal (from 13% to 19%), Slovakia (from 3% to 7%), Austria (from 23% to 27%), Latvia (from 32% to 36%), Spain (from 5% to 9%), Slovenia (from 9% to 13%) and Hungary (from 3% to 7%).

Gross inland energy consumption, by source of energy 

- Not applicable

Shares above might not add up to exactly 100%. They vary depending on the contribution in gross inland consumption of other fuels e.g. industrial wastes, and net imports or exports of electricity and derived heat.

Million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) is a standardised unit defined on the basis of one million tonnes of oil having a net calorific value of 41.868 Gigajoules.

1. Gross inland energy consumption is defined as primary production plus imports, recovered products and stock change, less exports and fuel supply to maritime bunkers (for seagoing ships of all flags). It therefore reflects the energy necessary to satisfy inland consumption within the limits of national territory.

2. More information on the dedicated section on energy statistics on the Eurostat web site: http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/energy/introduction

3. More information about the EU Sustainable Energy Week: http://www.eusew.eu

Source : © European Union, 1995-2011