Wind Energy

Renewable energy contributed 10.3% of consumption in the EU27 in 2008

The 2009 Directive on renewable energy set individual targets for all Member States, such that the EU will reach a 20% share of total energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020. These targets take into account the Member States’ different starting points, renewable energy potential and economic performance.

These figures are taken from a report issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. Highest share of renewables in Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Austria and Portugal

The highest share of renewable energy in total consumption in 2008 was found in Sweden (44.4% of renewable energy sources in total consumption), Finland (30.5%), Latvia (29.9%), Austria (28.5%) and Portugal (23.2%), and the lowest in Malta (0.2%), Luxembourg (2.1%), the United Kingdom (2.2%), the Netherlands (3.2%) and Belgium (3.3%).

Between 2006 and 2008, nearly all Member States increased their share of renewable energy in total consumption. The largest increases were recorded in Austria (from 24.8% in 2006 to 28.5% in 2008), Estonia (from 16.1% to 19.1%), Romania (from 17.5% to 20.4%), Portugal (from 20.5% to 23.2%) and Slovakia (from 6.2% to 8.4%).

The indicator ‘Share of renewable energy to the gross final energy consumption’ is calculated on the basis of energy statistics covered by the Energy Statistics Regulation. It can be considered as an estimate of the relevant indicator described in Directive 2009/28/EC as the statistical system for some renewable energy technologies is not yet fully developed to meet the requirements of this Directive.

Renewable energy sources cover solar thermal and photovoltaic energy, hydro (including tide, wave and ocean energy), wind energy, geothermal energy and biomass (including biological waste and liquid biofuels).

The contribution of renewable energy from heat pumps is also covered for the Member States for which this information was available. The energy delivered to final consumers (industry, transport, households, services, etc.) from these sources is the nominator of the target.

The denominator, the gross final energy consumption of all energy sources, covers total energy delivered to final consumers (industry, transport, households, services, etc.) as well as energy lost in the production, transmission and distribution of electricity and heat.

epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/eurostat/home/