The European environment – state and outlook 2010

Contribution of renewable energy sources to primary energy consumption in the EU-27: The contribution of renewable energy sources to gross energy inland consumption (GEIC) increased in the EU-27 from 4.4 % in 1990 to 8.4 % in 2008. For the EU-15, the share of renewables in total gross inland consumption accounted for 8.6%, in 2008, falling substantially short of the indicative target set in the White Paper on renewable energy (COM(97) 599 final) of 12 % by 2010
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Huge renewable energy growth this decade, if EU countries meet projections: Offshore wind energy capacity in Europe is projected to increase 17-fold between 2010 and 2020, while newer renewable technologies such as concentrated solar power and wave/tidal power will also increase more than 11-fold according to projections. European countries are also expected to significantly boost solar photovoltaic power, onshore wind and other renewable technologies over the next decade.
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Average annual growth rates of renewable energy in electricity production (EU-27) for 1990-2010 and 2009-2010: The growth of solar thermal during 2009-2010 (572%) is not presented because it distorts the scale of the figure. There was no electricity generated from solar thermal pre-2007. The figures are only for the EU-27.
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Average annual growth rates of renewable energy in electricity consumption (EU-27) for 1990-2008 and 2007-2008: Average annual growth rates of renewable energy in electricity consumption (EU-27) for 1990-2008 and 2007-2008. The highest growth rates in renewable electricity production in 2007-2008 were observed for photovoltaic (97%/year), wind (13 %/year) and biomass (7 %/year)
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Renewable electricity consumption (CSI 031/ENER 030) - Assessment published Aug 2011: In 2008, the share of renewable electricity in gross electricity consumption in the EU-27 was 16.7 % compared to 11.9% in 1990. Renewable electricity has grown up by 3.3%/year since 1990 (4.1%/year since 1999, 2.6%/year before). Hydropower accounts for 58% in renewable electricity production, following by wind 20.9%, biomass and wastes 19% (1% for photovoltaic and geothermal). Despite good progress, only two countries have already met the indicative national target and three are very close, meaning that much more needs to be done to achieve the overall target of 21% by 2010.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Renewable electricity consumption
Europe's onshore and offshore wind energy potential: This report provides a Europe-wide resource assessment of onshore and offshore wind potential in a geographically explicit manner. In addition to calculating raw wind resource potential, this study also introduces and quantitatively analyses the environmental and social constraints on wind sector development. Concerns addressed include the noise and visual impact of wind power, as well as the deaths of birds and bats that fly into rotor blades. The report also evaluates the future costs of wind energy production across Europe in order to gauge the potential output at competitive rates.
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Farming with nature: Located in Signals — every breath we take › Signals 2011 › Eyewitness stories
Contribution of renewable energy sources to primary energy consumption in the EU-27: Contribution of renewable energy sources to primary energy consumption in the EU-27
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Energy and environment in the European Union - Tracking progress towards integration: Indicator-based report to measure progress of environmental integration within the energy sector.
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Water resources: quantity and flows - SOER 2010 thematic assessment: Europe's freshwaters are affected by water scarcity, droughts, floods and physical modifications. Many water bodies are at risk of failing to meet the aim of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) to achieve good status by 2015. Future policies should encourage demand management through actions such as increasing water efficiency. In addition, water management will benefit from applying an ecosystems perspective, using floodplains and groundwater aquifers for storing water, and making room (space) for rivers.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments