Archive:Consumption of energy

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Data from September 2010, most recent data: Further Eurostat information, Main tables and Database.

The European Union (EU) has pledged to cut its energy consumption by 20 % (compared with projected levels) by 2020. This article explains how the consumption of energy in the EU has evolved, highlighting a gradual shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, wind power, and biofuels; it also looks at the evolution of energy use within the transport sector.

In tandem with supply-side policies, the EU has launched a number of initiatives which aim to reduce energy demand and attempt to decouple it from economic growth. Several instruments and implementing measures exist in this field, including the promotion of co-generation, the energy performance of buildings (whether private or public buildings), and energy labelling of domestic appliances.

Main statistical findings

Table 1: Gross inland consumption of primary energy
(million tonnes of oil equivalent)

Figure 1: Gross inland consumption, EU-27
(% of total consumption)

Table 2: Final energy consumption
(million tonnes of oil equivalent)

Figure 2: Energy intensity of the economy
(kg of oil equivalent per EUR 1 000 of GDP)

Figure 3: Final energy consumption, EU-27, 2008 (1)
(% of total, based on tonnes of oil equivalent)

Figure 4: Energy consumption by transport mode, EU-27 (1)
(1998=100, based on tonnes of oil equivalent)

Consumption

Gross inland energy consumption of primary energy within the EU-27 in 2008 was 1 799 million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe). As such, gross inland consumption remained relatively unchanged throughout the period from 2003 to 2008, in contrast to a rising trend prior to this period (see Table 1).

The gross inland consumption of each Member State depends, to a large degree, on the structure of its energy system, the availability of natural resources for primary energy production, and the structure and development of each economy (general trends in economic growth); this is true not only for conventional fuels and nuclear power, but also for renewable energy sources. Gross inland consumption of primary energy rose at a fast pace in Spain throughout the period from 1998 to 2008. There was also a rapid expansion in energy consumption in Poland between 2003 and 2008, as witnessed by the second highest growth rate, behind Spain; the largest reductions in gross inland consumption of primary energy (during the same five-year period) were recorded in the United Kingdom and Germany.

Over the period 1998 to 2008 there was a gradual decline in the share of crude oil and petroleum products, solid fuels, and nuclear energy in total gross inland consumption, while an increasing share of EU-27 consumption was accounted for by natural gas and renewable energy sources (see Figure 2). The combined share of crude oil, petroleum products and solid fuels fell from 59.0 % of total consumption to 53.5 %, reflecting changes in the EU-27’s energy mix and a move away from the most polluting fossil fuels. During the same period, the relative importance of natural gas and of renewable energy sources rose by 2.9 percentage points, reaching 24.5 % and 8.4 % of the EU-27’s gross inland consumption by 2008; the relative importance of renewable energy sources rose to almost one third of the total in Sweden and Latvia, and was close to one quarter of the total in Austria and Finland.

Final energy consumption (in other words, excluding energy used by power producers) in the EU-27, was equivalent to just under two thirds (64.9 %) of gross inland consumption, at 1 169 million toe in 2008. Almost one fifth (19.2 %) of the EU-27’s final energy consumption was accounted for by Germany.

The lowest levels of energy intensity – a measure of an economy’s energy efficiency – were recorded for Denmark and Ireland in 2008, while the most energy-intensive Member States were Bulgaria and Romania (see Figure 2). It should be noted that the economic structure of an economy plays an important role in determining energy intensity, as post-industrial economies with large service sectors will, a priori, have considerably lower energy use than economies characterised by heavy, traditional industries. Between 1998 and 2008, substantial energy savings were made in the Bulgarian and Romanian economies, as well as in the Baltic States, as the amount of energy required to produce a unit of economic output (as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP)) was almost halved (reductions of between 40 and 46 %).

End-users

An analysis of the final end use of energy shows three dominant categories: as transport, industry and households each accounted for at least one quarter of the EU-27’s final energy consumption in 2008. The total energy consumption of all transport modes amounted to 374.3 million toe in 2008, almost one third (32.0 %) of the total (see Figure 3). There were, however, considerable differences in the development of energy consumption across transport modes in the EU-27, with the most rapid growth recorded for aviation (33.4 % between 1998 and 2008) and an upward trend for road transport (11.6 %), while the energy consumption of rail was relatively unchanged (-2.7 %) – see Figure 4. The largest increase in energy consumption among the different transport modes, in absolute terms, was recorded for road transport, where EU-27 consumption rose by 31.5 million toe between 1998 and 2008, compared with a 13.6 million toe increase for aviation. These changes in energy consumption reflect the popularity of each transport mode, but can also be influenced by technological changes, especially when these relate to fuel-efficiency gains.

Data sources and availability

Gross inland energy consumption represents the quantity of energy necessary to satisfy inland consumption of the geographical entity under consideration. It may be defined as primary production plus imports, recovered products and stock changes, less exports and fuel supply to maritime bunkers (for seagoing ships of all flags). It describes the total energy needs of a country (or entity), covering: consumption by the energy sector itself; distribution and transformation losses; final energy consumption by end-users; and statistical differences

Final energy consumption includes the consumption of energy by all users except the energy sector itself (whether for deliveries, for transformation, and/or its own use), and includes, for example, energy consumption by agriculture, industry, services and households, as well as energy consumption for transport. It should be noted that fuel quantities transformed in the electrical power stations of industrial auto-producers and the quantities of coke transformed into blast-furnace gas are not part of overall industrial energy consumption but of the transformation sector.

Energy intensity is measured as the ratio between gross inland consumption of energy and GDP; this indicator is a key indicator for measuring progress under the EU’s 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The ratio is expressed in kilograms of oil equivalent (kgoe) per EUR 1 000, and to facilitate analysis over time the calculations are based on GDP at constant prices (currently chain-linked 2000 prices). If an economy becomes more efficient in its use of energy and its GDP remains constant, then the ratio for this indicator should fall. The economic structure of an economy plays an important role in determining energy intensity, as post-industrial economies with large service sectors will, a priori, display relatively low energy intensity rates, while developing economies may have a considerable proportion of their economic activity within industrial sectors, thus leading to higher energy intensity.

Context

As well as supply-side policies to influence the production of energy, there is a growing trend for policy initiatives to focus on improving energy efficiency in an attempt to reduce energy demand and decouple it from economic growth. This process was given impetus by the integrated energy and climate change strategy that committed the EU to cut its energy consumption by 20 % by 2020 (in relation to projected levels) and, in so doing, simultaneously address the issues of import dependency, energy-related emissions, and energy costs..

To achieve these goals, the EU seeks to engage public opinion, decision-makers and market operators, while setting minimum energy efficiency standards and rules on labelling for products, services and infrastructure, in order to encourage significant reductions in consumption – for example, through the promotion of co-generation, improving the energy performance of buildings, or improving the information given to consumers with respect to the energy consumption of domestic appliances. Indeed, daily life is becoming increasingly dependent on energy-consuming devices. Without compromising standards of living, there are a range of actions that could be employed to reduce energy consumption across many European households. Aside from making efficiency savings, these measures could also cut average fuel bills, for example, by: turning the thermostat down; using thermostatic radiator valves; not leaving televisions, music systems, DVD players or similar devices on stand-by; defrosting fridges and freezers regularly; turning off lights when leaving rooms; using low-energy light bulbs; insulating hot-water tanks and heating pipes; or using loft insulation and cavity wall insulation.

The EU harmonises national measures relating to the publication of information on the consumption of energy by household appliances, thereby allowing consumers to choose appliances on the basis of their energy efficiency – a range of different products (for example, light bulbs, refrigerators, washing machines) carry the EU’s energy label that details the energy efficiency of products, rating them according to a scale that ranges from A to G, with 'A' as the most energy efficient products and 'G' for the least efficient products.

The transport sector is the fastest growing consumer of energy and producer of greenhouse gases, even if advances in transport technology and fuel have resulted in marked decreases in emissions of certain pollutants. There are many factors that impact on energy use within the transport sector, for example, overall economic growth, the efficiency of individual transport modes, the take-up of alternative fuels, and lifestyle choices. The globalised nature of the economy has fuelled demand for international freight movements (principally by ship), while within the Single Market there has been a considerable expansion in the use of road freight transport (see Transport energy consumption and emissions). The growth in demand for energy from the EU’s transport sector is not confined to business, as it has been accompanied by an expansion in personal travel. The growth of low-cost airlines, an increase in motorisation rates (the average number of motor vehicles per inhabitant), a trend for living in suburban areas, or the expansion of tourism (more frequent breaks, and more long-haul destinations) are among some of the factors that have contributed to increased demand for energy as a result of personal travel.

Further Eurostat information

Publications

Main tables

Energy, see:

Energy Statistics - quantities (t_nrg_quant)

Share of renewables in gross inland energy consumption (tsdcc110)

Gross inland consumption of primary energy (ten00086)

Gross inland energy consumption, by fuel (tsdcc320)

Consumption of electricity by industry, transport activities and households/services (ten00094)

Final energy consumption (ten00095)

Final energy consumption, by sector (tsdpc320)

Final energy consumption of petroleum products (ten00096)

Final energy consumption of electricity (ten00097)

Final energy consumption of natural gas (ten00098)

Final energy consumption by industry (ten00099)

Final energy consumption by transport (ten00100)

Energy consumption of transport, by mode (tsdtr100)

Final energy consumption by households, trades, services, etc. (ten00101)

Electricity consumption of households (tsdpc310)

Energy dependency (tsdcc310)

Combined heat and power generation (tsien030)

Share of biofuels in fuel consumption of transport (tsdcc340)

Database

Energy, see:

Energy Statistics - quantities (nrg_quant)

Energy Statistics - supply, transformation, consumption (nrg_10)

Supply, transformation, consumption - all products - annual data (nrg_100a)

Supply, transformation, consumption - solid fuels - annual data (nrg_101a)

Supply, transformation, consumption - oil - annual data (nrg_102a)

Supply, transformation, consumption - gas - annual data (nrg_103a)

Supply, transformation, consumption - electricity - annual data (nrg_105a)

Supply, transformation, consumption - heat - annual data (nrg_106a)

Supply, transformation, consumption - renewables and wastes (total, solar heat, biomass, geothermal, wastes) - annual data (nrg_1071a)

Supply, transformation, consumption - renewables (hydro, wind, photovoltaic) - annual data (nrg_1072a)

Supply, transformation, consumption - renewables (biofuels) - annual data (nrg_1073a)

Source data for tables and graphs (MS Excel)

Consumption of energy: tables and graphs (Excel)