What are the trends in the energy mix in gross inland energy consumption in Europe?

Policy Question

Indicator codes: ENER 026

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(13 Dec 2018)

In 2016, primary energy consumption in the EU amounted to 1 543 million tonnes of oil equivalent, 4.0 % above the 2020 target.
Between 2005 and 2016, primary energy consumption in the EU decreased by 10 %. This was due to energy efficiency improvements, an increase in the share of renewable energy sources (hydro, wind and solar photovoltaic power) in total energy consumption, the economic recession and climate changes.
Based on the European Environment Agency's preliminary estimates, in 2017 primary energy consumption was 1 563 million tonnes of oil equivalent in the EU. This represents a 1.3 % increase compared with 2016.
Fossil fuels (including non-renewable waste) continued to dominate primary energy consumption in the EU, but their share declined from 78 % in 2005 to 72 % in 2016. The share of renewable energy sources almost doubled over the same period, from 7 % in 2005 to 14 % in 2016, increasing at an average annual rate of 5.4 % per year between 2005 and 2016. The share of nuclear energy in primary energy consumption decreased slightly, from 15 % in 2005 to 14 % in 2016.
The EU’s dependence on imports of fossil fuels (gas, solid fuels and oil) from non-EU countries slightly increased, from 52 % in 2005 to 54 % in 2016, expressed as a share of total gross inland energy consumption plus bunkers. In 2016, oil represented 59 % of total net imports, gas 30 % and solid fuels 11 %.