Final energy consumption by sector and fuel
Key messages
Between 2005 and 2014, final energy consumption decreased by 11 % (1.3 % annually) in the EU-28. Final energy consumption decreased in all sectors, particularly in the industry and households sectors (16.5 % and 14.8 %, respectively), but also in the transport (4.5 %) and services sectors (1.7 %). This decrease in final energy consumption since 2005 was influenced by economic performance, structural changes in various end-use sectors, particularly industry, improvements in end-use efficiency and lower than average heat consumption as a result of favorable climatic conditions, particularly in 2011 and 2014. In 2014, the EU-28 met its 2020 target for final energy consumption.
Between 2005 and 2014, final energy consumption in some non-EU EEA countries, namely Turkey, Iceland and Norway, increased by 28 % (2.8 % per year). This difference was caused by an increase in energy consumption in Turkey (35 %) and Iceland (78 %), and a small decrease in energy consumption in Norway (1 %). Since 1990, the final energy consumption in these non-EU EEA countries has increased by 92 % (2.8 % annually).
Final energy consumption in the EEA-33 countries decreased by 8.4 % (1 % annually) between 2005 and 2014. The largest contributors to this decrease were the industry and household sectors, both contributing 13.6 % to this decrease. On average, each person in the EEA-33 countries used 2.0 tonnes of oil equivalent to meet their energy needs in 2014.
Is final energy consumption decreasing in Europe?
- Between 2005 and 2014, final energy consumption decreased by 11 % (1.3 % annually) in the EU-28 (Figure 1) and by 8.4 % (1.0 % annually) in the EEA-33 countries. Between 2013 and 2014, final energy consumption decreased (see Table 1) by 4.1 % in the EU-28 and 3.5 % in the EEA-33 countries. The difference in the reduction in final energy consumption between the EEA-33 and the EU-28 is mainly as a result of the increase in energy consumption in Turkey (35 %) and Iceland (78 %) between 2005 and 2014. In Iceland, this increase was mainly caused by an increase in the production capacity of the aluminium industry. In Norway, final energy consumption decreased by 1 % between 2005 and 2014.
- With regard to final energy consumption per sector (see Figure 1), final energy consumption in the industry sector has decreased by 16.5 % in the EU-28 (13.6 % in the EEA-33) since 2005, in the household sector it has decreased by 14.8 % in the EU-28 (13.6 % in the EEA-33), in the transport sector it has decreased by 4.6 % in the EU-28 (1.6 % in the EEA-33), and in the 'Fishing, agriculture and forestry' and 'Non-specified' sectors it has decreased by 27.9 % in the EU-28 (22.5 % in the EEA-33). In the services sector, final energy consumption has decreased by 1.7 % in the EU-28 since 2005, but it has increased by 2.4 % in the EEA-33. Over the whole period (1990–2014), the largest increases in final energy consumption in the EU-28 occurred in the services and transport sectors, with increases of 30 % and 24 %, respectively (38 % and 28 %, respectively, in the EEA-33).
- Between 2005 and 2014, energy consumption in the industry sector fell at an average annual rate of 2.0 %. This was largely the result of a shift towards less energy-intensive manufacturing industries and the continuing transition to a more service-oriented European economy, combined with the effects of the economic recession in recent years. This trend in decreasing energy consumption in industry is expected to continue in the future because of ongoing industry reallocation which could lead to a permanently smaller manufacturing sector in the EU.
- Between 2005 and 2014, energy consumption in the services sector decreased annually by 0.2 %. This sector is growing in Europe and so is the demand for energy for electrical appliances, particularly those related to information and communication technologies, such as computers, and other energy-intensive technologies, such as heating and air conditioning. Overall, however, the energy consumption in this sector has been more or less stable.
- Between 2005 and 2014, energy consumption in the transport sector decreased annually by 0.5 %. This decrease, observed since 2007, was due to energy savings in road transport. This is the result of improvements in fuel efficiency, as a result of vehicle emission standards, which have been offset by increases in passenger and freight transport demand. Higher transport demand has resulted from an increase in the ownership of private cars, particularly in the new EU Member States, as well as an increase in settlement and urban sprawl which have led to people travelling longer distances, and changes in lifestyle. For more details on trends in the transport sector, see EEA, 2015a, and TERM001.
- In 2014, the transport sector accounted for 33 % of total final energy consumption in the EU-28 Member States, followed by the industrial sector (26 %), the household sector (25 %) and the services sector (13 %) (see Figure 1).
- The observed trend in final energy consumption differs significantly across the EEA member countries (see Table 1). Between 2005 and 2014, Iceland, Malta and Turkey experienced, by far, the largest increases in final energy consumption (78 %, 42 % and 35 %, respectively), whereas Greece and Spain experienced the largest decreases (26 % and 19 %, respectively). In addition, final energy consumption also decreased significantly in Hungary (18 %), Portugal (17 %), Italy (17 %), Ireland (15 %) and the United Kingdom (15 %) during this period. Large increases in final energy consumption correlate with growing economies (e.g. Turkey) and growing industry (e.g. Iceland). The decreases in final energy consumption are mainly the result of energy savings (in Ireland and the United Kingdom), in combination with a decrease in economic activity (Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain).
- Between 2005 and 2014, the consumption of oil decreased by 16.1 % (1.9 % annually) (see Figures 2 and 6). The largest decrease, of 45.1 %, was in the industry sector. The smallest decrease, of 7.8 %, occurred in the transport sector.
- Between 2005 and 2014, the final consumption of electricity decreased by 2.8 % (0.3 % annually) (see Figures 3 and 6). Since 2005, electricity consumption in the services sector continued to increase (by 10 %), while, over the same period, electricity consumption decreased by 12 % in the industry sector and 2 % in the household sector. Electricity consumption in industry decreased mainly because of a decrease in activity in the sector and an increase in energy savings. The consumption of electricity in the household sector has been more or less stable since 2005. An increase in the number of dwellings has been balanced by an increase in the energy efficiency of lighting, electrical appliances, and electrical heating and cooling systems. The increase in the consumption of electricity in the services sector is because of the Europe-wide growth of the sector.
- Between 2005 and 2014, the consumption of natural gas decreased by 18.6 % (2.3 % annually) (see Figures 4 and 6). Natural gas consumption in the households and services sectors has, on average, decreased as a result of improvements in the thermal performance of buildings, but this has been offset, to a certain extent, by an increase in the number of houses and buildings. Between 2005 and 2014, natural gas consumption decreased by 22.1 % in the household sector and 5.3 % in the services sector. In 2014, the household sector accounted for the largest proportion of the final energy consumption of natural gas (42 %) in the EU-28. This was a result of the increase in the use of gas for residential heating and cooking. Consequently, the trend in natural gas consumption shows relatively large year-to-year variations due to weather conditions: natural gas consumption increased in 2010 because of cold winter conditions and decreased in 2011 and 2014 because of mild winter conditions.
- Between 2005 and 2014, the consumption of solid fuels decreased by 13.7 % (1.6 % annually) (see Figures 5 and 6). In absolute terms, this reduction occurred mainly in the industry sector. The decrease of solid fuel consumption in the households sector stopped in 2000. However, year-to-year variations occur because of weather conditions.
Indicator specification and metadata
Indicator definition
Final energy consumption covers the energy supplied to the final consumer for all energy uses. It is calculated as the sum of the final energy consumption of all sectors. These sectors are disaggregated to cover industry, transport, households, services and agriculture.
The indicator can be presented in relative or absolute terms. The relative contribution of a specific sector is measured as the ratio of the final energy consumption of that sector to the total final energy consumption, calculated for each calendar year. It is a useful indicator that highlights a country's sectoral needs in terms of final energy demand.
Units
Final energy consumption is measured in million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe).
Policy context and targets
Context description
Environmental context
The trends in final energy consumption by fuel type and by sector provide a broad indication of progress towards reducing final energy consumption and the associated environmental impacts by the different end-use sectors (transport, industry, services and households). The type and magnitude of energy-related pressures (e.g. greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, etc.) on the environment depend on both the sources of energy and the total amount of energy consumed. One way of reducing energy-related pressures on the environment is to use less energy by reducing the demand for energy services (e.g. heat demand, passenger or freight transport) or by using energy in a more efficient way (thereby using less energy per unit of activity), or a combination of these.
Policy context
- The 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive established a set of binding measures to help the EU reach its 20 % energy efficiency target by 2020. Under the Directive, all EU countries are required to use energy more efficiently at all stages of the energy chain, from its production to its final consumption. To reach the EU's 20 % energy efficiency target by 2020, individual EU countries have set their own indicative national energy efficiency targets. Depending on country preferences, these targets are based on primary and/or final energy consumption, primary and/or final energy savings, or energy intensity. New national measures have to ensure major energy savings for consumers and industry. To help officials in EU countries implement the Energy Efficiency Directive, the European Commission publishes guidance notes:
Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC;
Commission Guidance COM(2013) 762, Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and Council, Implementing the Energy Efficiency Directive;
Council Directive 2013/12/EU of 13 May 2013 adapting Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy efficiency, by reason of the accession of the Republic of Croatia.
- Earlier legislation: in 2009, the Council adopted the climate–energy legislative package that contains measures to tackle climate change and promote renewable energy use. This package is designed to achieve the EU's overall environmental target of a 20 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a level of renewable energy use that is 20 % of the EU's total energy consumption by 2020. The climate action and renewable energy (CARE) package includes the following main policy documents:
Directive 2009/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending directive 2003/87/EC so as to improve and extend the greenhouse gas emission allowance trading scheme of the community;
Directive 2009/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the geological storage of carbon dioxide;
Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources;
Community guidelines on state aid for environmental protection (2008/c 82/01);
Directive 2008/101/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending directive 2003/87/EC so as to include aviation activities in the scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the community;
Regulation (EC) No 443/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council setting emission performance standards for new passenger cars as part of the community’s integrated approach to reducing CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles.
- Second Strategic Energy Review (COM(2008) 781 final) — strategic review on short-, medium- and long-term targets on EU energy security.
- Sustainable production and consumption action plan (COM(2008) 397 final) — this strategy is meant to further sustainable consumption and production and promote sustainable industrial policy.
EEA references
- EEA, 2014a, Focusing on environmental pressures from long‑distance transport — TERM 2014: transport indicators tracking progress towards environmental targets in Europe
(http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/term-report-2014). - EEA, 2014b, Monitoring CO2 emissions from passenger cars and vans in 2013
(http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/monitoring-co2-emissions-from-passenger). - EEA, 2014c, Trends and projections in Europe 2014 — Tracking progress towards Europe's climate and energy targets for 2020
(http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/trends-and-projections-in-europe-2014).
Targets
Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency establishes a common framework of measures for the promotion of energy efficiency within the EU in order to achieve the headline target of a 20 % reduction in primary energy consumption by 2020. Member States are requested to set indicative targets. It is up to Member States to decide whether to base their targets on primary energy consumption, final energy consumption, primary or final energy savings, or energy intensity.
Related policy documents
-
Climate action and renewable energy package (CARE Package)
Combating climate change is a top priority for the EU. Europe is working hard to cut its greenhouse gas emissions substantially while encouraging other nations and regions to do likewise.
-
COM(2008) 397
Sustainable production and consumption action plan
-
COM(2008) 781
COM(2008) 781 final - Second Strategic Energy Review
-
Directive 2012/27/eu
DIRECTIVE 2012/27/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC
Methodology
Methodology for indicator calculation
- Data sources:
Final energy consumption — Eurostat (historical data) (http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/).
Final energy consumption, non-European countries — International Energy Agency (IEA) (http://data.iea.org/IEASTORE/DEFAULT.ASP).
Final energy consumption is one of the EEA’s core-set indicators (more information can be found at http://themes.eea.eu.int/IMS/CSI). - Description of data/indicator definition:
Final energy consumption covers energy supplied to the final consumer for all energy uses. It is calculated as the sum of final energy consumption of all sectors. These are disaggregated to cover industry, transport, households, services and agriculture. The indicator can be presented in relative or absolute terms. The relative contribution of a specific sector is measured by the ratio between the final energy consumption of that sector and total final energy consumption calculated for a calendar year. It is a useful indicator, which highlights a country's sectoral needs in terms of final energy demand. - Geographical coverage:
The EEA had 33 member countries at the time of writing: the 28 EU Member States and Turkey, plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Note that no data are included for Switzerland or Liechtenstein because of a lack of Eurostat data. The table in Figure 8 also includes data for the world as a whole, and Africa, the Middle East, China, India, Russia and the United States. - Methodology and frequency of data collection:
Data are collected annually.
Eurostat metadata were used for energy statistics (http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/statistics/metadata). - Methodology for data manipulation:
The average annual rate of growth was calculated using: [(last year/base year) ^ (1/number of years) – 1]*100. - The coding (used in the Eurostat database) and specific components of the indicator are:
• Numerator: [final energy consumption industry 101800 + final energy consumption transport 101900 + final energy consumption households 102010 + final energy consumption services 102035 + agriculture]; 'agriculture' calculated as [final energy consumption agriculture/forestry 102030 + final energy consumption fisheries 102020 + final energy consumption – other sectors 102000].
• Denominator: (total) final energy consumption 101700 (only if needed to calculate proportions).
This was done for '0000 — All products'; '3000 — Total petroleum products'; '6000 — Electrical energy'; '4100 — Natural gas'; and '2000 — Solid fuels'.
The coding (used in the IEA database) and specific components of the indicator are:
• Reports: 'Energy Balances of Non-OECD countries' and 'Energy Balances of OECD countries'; Names: 'Energy Balances'; 'Product: Total'; 'Flow'; 'Final Consumption — Flow'; and 'Memo: Feedstock use in the petrochemical industry'.
The estimated indicative national targets for 2020 are based on the national energy efficiency plans for 2014, or earlier if not available for 2014 (https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-efficiency-directive/national-energy-efficiency-action-plans).
Methodology for gap filling
No gap filling was applied.
Methodology references
No methodology references available.
Uncertainties
Methodology uncertainty
Reliability, accuracy, robustness and uncertainty (at data level)
Any cross-country comparison of the distribution of final energy consumption between sectors has to be accompanied by a relevant measure of the importance of the sector in the economy, as the sectoral share also depends on the country's economic circumstances. Because the focus is on the reduction of final energy consumption and not the sectoral redistribution of such consumption, the trends in absolute values (in thousand tonnes of oil equivalent) are preferred, as they provide more meaningful indicators of progress. However, even if the same sectors in two countries are equally important to the economy, the gross (primary) consumption of energy needed before it reaches the final user might draw from energy sources that pollute the environment in different ways. Thus, from an environmental point of view, the final energy consumption of a sector should be analysed in that broader context.
The sectoral breakdown of final energy consumption includes the industry, transport, households, services, agriculture, fisheries and other sectors. However, the inclusion of the agriculture and fisheries sectors together with the services sector is questionable given the divergent trends of these sectors. Separate assessments are therefore made where appropriate. It is worth noting that, according to Eurostat, data on final energy consumption in agriculture are not very reliable and mainly reflect means consumption from engines used for agricultural transportation. A new definition is now used in energy questionnaires that is more in line with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines.
Overall scoring — historic data (1 = no major problems; 3 = major reservations):
Relevance: 1
Accuracy: 1
Comparability over time: 1
Comparability over space: 1.
Data sets uncertainty
Strengths and weaknesses (at data level)
Officially reported data are updated annually and have no obvious weaknesses.
Traditionally, data have been compiled by Eurostat through the annual 'Joint Questionnaires', shared by Eurostat and the IEA, following a well-established and harmonised methodology. Methodological information on these annual questionnaires and data compilation can be found on Eurostat's web page for metadata on energy statistics (http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/statistics/metadata). Information related to the Energy Statistics Regulation is also available online (http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/energy/introduction).
Rationale uncertainty
No uncertainty has been specified
Data sources
-
Final Energy Consumption non European countries (IEA)
provided by International Energy Agency (IEA) -
Energy statistics - supply, transformation and consumption
provided by Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat)
Generic metadata
Tags:
Typology: Descriptive indicator (Type A - What is happening to the environment and to humans?)
- CSI 027
- ENER 016
Geographic coverage:
Countries
Austria , Belgium , Bulgaria , Croatia , Cyprus , Czech Republic , Denmark , Estonia , Finland , France , Germany , Greece , Hungary , Ireland , Italy , Latvia , Lithuania , Luxembourg , Malta , Netherlands , Poland , Portugal , Romania , Slovakia , Slovenia , Spain , Sweden , United KingdomContacts and ownership
EEA Contact Info
Anca-Diana BarbuOwnership
EEA Management Plan
2016 1.3.2 (note: EEA internal system)Dates
Frequency of updates
Permalinks
- Permalink to this version
- 9b5f46c5e8aa4f27adb37db935ecbe74
- Permalink to latest version
- IND-16-en
For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/final-energy-consumption-by-sector-9/assessment-1 or scan the QR code.
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