Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
European Commission - Eurostat Unit ESTAT.E.5: Energy L-2920 Luxembourg
1.6. Contact email address
Restricted from publication
1.7. Contact phone number
Restricted from publication
1.8. Contact fax number
Restricted from publication
2.1. Metadata last certified
29 January 2024
2.2. Metadata last posted
29 January 2024
2.3. Metadata last update
29 January 2024
This dataset covers indicators for monitoring progress towards energy efficiency targets implemented by Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency and Directive (EU) 2023/1791 on energy efficiency (recast). The indicator measures the level of energy consumption and distance to 2020/2030 targets. The energy saving could improve the security of the energy supply by reducing the dependence on fuel imports. The improvement in energy efficiency also improves the competitivnes of European industry and services; for households it reduces the energy bill. Energy saving could also contribute to reducing the GHG emissions from fuel combustion.
Data in this dataset answer the following key questions:
What is the progress on EU level towards Europe 2020 target for energy efficiency?
What is the progress on EU level towards Europe 2030 target for energy efficiency?
What is the development on national level towards objectives defined in Directive on energy efficiency?
4.1. Data description
Primary energy consumption used for monitoring the progress towards 2020 and 2030 targets is taken from energy balances (dataset nrg_bal_s): Primary energy consumption (Europe 2020-2030) [code: PEC2020-2030]. Primary energy consumption has to be measured in Mtoe.
Final energy consumption used for monitoring the progress towards 2020 and 2030 targets is taken from energy balances (dataset nrg_bal_s): Final energy consumption (Europe 2020-2030) [code: FEC2020-2030]. Final energy consumption has to be measured in Mtoe.
The distance to target in absolute terms (Mtoe) is calculated as a difference between the observed energy consumption in a given year and the absolute primary and final energy consumption targets in 2020 according to Directive 2012/27/EU and in 2030 according to Directive (EU) 2023/1791.
The distance to target in relative terms (as percentage) is calculated as a ratio of the distance to target in absolute terms in a given year to primary and final energy consumption targets in 2020 according to Directive 2012/27/EU and in 2030 according to Directive (EU) 2023/1791.
Basic data on energy quantities are given in fuel specific units e.g. solid and liquid fuels in thousand tonnes, electricity in gigawatt-hours, heat and gases in terajoules. The basic energy quantities data are converted to energy units, i.e. to terajoules and tonnes of oil equivalent to allow comparison of different fuel types.
Units in which countries provide data to Eurostat are defined in Annex B of Regulation (EC) No 1099/2008 on energy statistics. Until reference year 2016 all figures reported by countries were whole numbers. As of reference year 2017, reporting countries can provide data up to 3 decimal places. Some countries provided more decimal places as part of the revision of their historic time series. Some countries opted for continuing reporting with zero decimal places.
Energy efficiency indicators included in this dataset are using these units:
1 000 000 tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe)
Index with base year 2005 = 100
Percentage (%)
4.3. Reference Period
The calendar year (January - December)
4.4. Accuracy - overall
The indicator is produced according to the high-level quality standards of European Statistical System. While indirect indicators suggest overall accuracy of energy balance should be in general high, quantitative assessment of accuracy was not performed by Eurostat. Please see Related metadata for details on accuracy of the source datasets used to calculate this indicator.
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
European Commission - Eurostat
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Please see Related metadata for specific information on source data used to calculate this indicator.
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year
5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
Revisions several time per year are possible.
5.2. Timeliness
T+2 years
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+1 year
5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
Usuall timeliness is 12 months after the end of reference year. Depending on the actual quality of received data for the most recent year and specific problems encountered in data validation, the punctuality can be +-1 month.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS
6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all EU Member States and several non-EU countries.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS
6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data are comparable between all EU Member States and between other presented countries.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years
6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
All EU Member States have long time series; for some non-EU countries time series are shorter.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
> 4 data points
6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Comparability over time is ensured with a solid methodology harmonised on international level that is stable over long periods. Occasional breaks in time series are present due to the developments of statistical systems on national level and the level of detailed information (micro data) available at national level.
In general comparability is very high in last 10 years and for older periods slowly decreasing. In addition, introduction of new statistical information in the most recent data collections can lead to breaks in series until information is compiled and provided by reporting countries.
Information not available. Redissemination of this indicator is not monitored.
No flags are used in this indicator, please refer to source datasets for all specificities and particularities. This dataset is not dynamicaly linked to source data and consequently data revisions are not immediately applied.
Primary energy consumption used for monitoring the progress towards 2020 and 2030 targets is taken from energy balances (dataset nrg_bal_s): Primary energy consumption (Europe 2020-2030) [code: PEC2020-2030]. Primary energy consumption has to be measured in Mtoe.
Final energy consumption used for monitoring the progress towards 2020 and 2030 targets is taken from energy balances (dataset nrg_bal_s): Final energy consumption (Europe 2020-2030) [code: FEC2020-2030]. Final energy consumption has to be measured in Mtoe.
The distance to target in absolute terms (Mtoe) is calculated as a difference between the observed energy consumption in a given year and the absolute primary and final energy consumption targets in 2020 according to Directive 2012/27/EU and in 2030 according to Directive (EU) 2023/1791.
The distance to target in relative terms (as percentage) is calculated as a ratio of the distance to target in absolute terms in a given year to primary and final energy consumption targets in 2020 according to Directive 2012/27/EU and in 2030 according to Directive (EU) 2023/1791.
The indicator is produced according to the high-level quality standards of European Statistical System. While indirect indicators suggest overall accuracy of energy balance should be in general high, quantitative assessment of accuracy was not performed by Eurostat. Please see Related metadata for details on accuracy of the source datasets used to calculate this indicator.
Basic data on energy quantities are given in fuel specific units e.g. solid and liquid fuels in thousand tonnes, electricity in gigawatt-hours, heat and gases in terajoules. The basic energy quantities data are converted to energy units, i.e. to terajoules and tonnes of oil equivalent to allow comparison of different fuel types.
Units in which countries provide data to Eurostat are defined in Annex B of Regulation (EC) No 1099/2008 on energy statistics. Until reference year 2016 all figures reported by countries were whole numbers. As of reference year 2017, reporting countries can provide data up to 3 decimal places. Some countries provided more decimal places as part of the revision of their historic time series. Some countries opted for continuing reporting with zero decimal places.
Energy efficiency indicators included in this dataset are using these units:
