EU shows record-low energy use amid efficiency gains and renewables surge

Published on 29/05/2025 - 17:58 GMT+2

Total vigor successful the EU, what Eurostat calls gross disposable energy, fell by 4.1 % successful 2023, the equivalent of astir 380 cardinal barrels of oil, marking a grounds low.

Long-running ratio policies person reduced discarded crossed each sectors, portion milder winters person decreased heating demand. The spike successful fossil substance prices caused by Russia's full-scale penetration of Ukraine has prompted further conservation efforts.

Put simply, Europe is managing to bash much with less.

The EU is inactive heavy reliant connected fossil fuels (67%), but renewables present proviso 19.5% of each vigor successful the EU, up 31% since 2013 and conscionable 1 percent constituent shy of earthy gas.

Nordic countries, specified arsenic Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, pb the greenish transition, with renewables accounting for 40–50% of their vigor mix.

Poland and the Czech Republic stay coal-reliant, with coagulated fuels inactive supplying astir a 3rd of their demand.

Energy imports and depletion trends

The EU lone produces astir 40% of the vigor it consumes.

Domestic superior accumulation is down astir 20% since 2013. Almost each of its lipid (95%) and state (90%) indispensable beryllium shipped oregon piped in.

This leaves EU vigor dependency astatine 58.4%, down from the 2022 record, but inactive higher than the mean of the 2010s.

Norway (not an EU member), the United States, Algeria, Qatar and a reduced flow from Russia stay the superior sources of lipid and gas.

Examining the breakdown of vigor consumption, proscription is the largest consumer, accounting for 32% of demand.

Households travel with 26.3%, portion manufacture absorbs 24.6%. Services and agriculture unneurotic usage 9.1%, and the remaining 8% is directed to non-energy purposes specified arsenic feedstocks and lubricants.

Transport's dominance has grown implicit the past 3 decades, chiefly owed to an summation successful cars connected the roadworthy and a thriving aviation industry.

Road-fuel request rebounded betwixt 2021 and 2023 but is inactive beneath its 2019 peak, and planetary aviation remains 8% shy of pre-COVID levels.