factory chimneys

In 2024, primary energy consumption in the EU reached 1 202 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe), a 0.8% decrease compared with 2023. Data show that in 2024, the EU continued moving closer to the 2030 target of 992.5 Mtoe, with the gap narrowing to 21.1%.

Final energy consumption reached 900 Mtoe in 2024, a 0.7% increase compared with 2023. In 2024, final energy consumption was 18.0% above the 2030 target (763 Mtoe), compared with 17.2% the year before. 

This information comes from the most recent annual data on energy efficiency published by Eurostat. The article presents a handful of findings from the more detailed Statistics Explained article on energy efficiency. 

Distance from the 2030 target for primary energy consumption in the EU, 2006-2024 (million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe)). Line chart. Link to full dataset below.

Source dataset: nrg_ind_eff

The 1 202 Mtoe registered for EU primary energy consumption in 2024 was the lowest level since 1990, the first year for which data are available. Primary energy consumption peaked in 2006 at 1 511 Mtoe, when the EU was 52.3% away from the 2030 target. 

In 2024, the EU consumed 900 Mtoe of final energy. The lowest levels were registered in 2020, with 893 Mtoe.

Distance from the 2030 target for final energy consumption in the EU, 2006-2024 (million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe)). Line chart. Link to full dataset below.

Source dataset: nrg_ind_eff

Data presented in this article are based on annual energy data used to monitor progress towards the targets laid out in the 2023 revision of the Directive on energy efficiency. The Directive sets ambitious targets of no more than 763 Mtoe for final energy consumption and no more than 992.5 Mtoe for primary energy consumption by 2030.

For more information

Methodological notes 

  • Primary energy consumption measures total domestic energy demand, while final energy consumption refers to what end users actually consume. The difference relates mainly to the energy required by the energy sector itself and to transformation and distribution losses.
  • The revised Directive on energy efficiency raised the EU’s ambition for energy efficiency and established ‘energy efficiency first’ as a fundamental principle of the EU energy policy, giving it legal standing for the first time and obliging EU countries to consider energy efficiency in all relevant policy and major investment decisions. 

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