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Renewable electricity (CSI 031/ENER 030) - Assessment DRAFT created Jan 2013: In 2010, the share of renewable electricity in gross electricity production in the EU-27 was 21.5 % compared to 13% in 1990. Renewable electricity grew at an annual average growth rate of 3.8 % since 1990 but the speed almost doubled since 2005 (6.9%/year). In 2010, hydropower accounted for 12.8% in the overall electricity production, followed by wind 4.5%, biomass and wastes 2.6%, 0.7% for other biogas and liquid biofuels and for photovoltaic and 0.2% for geothermal. 2010 is the target year of the renewable electricity directive and overall the EU-27 exceeded the target of 21.0 % of renewable electricity in gross electricity production by 0.5%. At the member state level, 15 countries met the indicative national target. In light of the Renewable Energy Directive, much more needs to be done to continue increasing renewable electricity generation in the EU to achieve targets set for 2020.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Renewable electricity
Total renewable energy consumption: International comparison
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Share of renewables in total energy consumption: International comparison
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Renewable electricity consumption (CSI 031/ENER 030) - Assessment published Apr 2012: In 2009, the share of renewable electricity in gross electricity consumption in the EU-27 was 19.8 % compared to 13% in 1990. Renewable electricity grew by 3.3%/year since 1990 Hydropower accounts for 62% in renewable electricity production, following by wind 20.9%, biomass and wastes 14.3%,2.2% for photovoltaic and 1% geothermal. Despite good progress, only four countries have already met the indicative national target for the renewable electricity directive and three are very close, meaning that much more needs to be done in individual countries to achieve their targets by 2010. As a whole however, the EU is close to meeting its target. A simple forecast based on the trend to date would mean the EU would reach 20% energy generation from renewable by 2020, just 1% short of target. Given an increasing trend in more recent years, there is reason to be positive about this target being met.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Renewable electricity consumption
Renewable energy production must grow fast to reach the 2020 target: Europe has committed to obtain 20 % of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. An analysis of the 27 EU Member State action plans shows that renewable energy output is projected to grow by 6 % per year on average. Wind power, solar electricity and biofuels are foreseen to contribute with the highest growth rates. If all Member States follow the trajectory outlined in their plans, the EU will exceed its 20 % renewable energy target by 0.7 percentage points.
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Share of renewable sources in total primary energy consumption in the Western Balkans, 1995–2005: Share of renewable sources in total primary energy consumption in the Western Balkans, 1995–2005
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Share of renewable energy in total gross energy inland consumption (in %): The table shows the share of renewable energy in total gross energy inland consumption (in %)
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Energy and environment: democratisation of power: European Parliament - Joint Parliamentary Meeting on "Energy and Sustainable Development", presentation by Prof. Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director, European Environment Agency. Strasbourg, November 20 2008.
Located in Environmental topics › Energy › Multimedia
Climate change mitigation - National Responses (Germany): SOER Common environmental theme from Germany
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Germany
National and regional story (Germany) - The way toward unifying environmental protection: SOER National and regional story from Germany
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Germany