Renewables share in EU's energy consumption rises to 13.4% in 2011

Dec 18, 2012 - The share of renewables in the gross final energy consumption of the European Union (EU) rose to 13.4% in 2011 from 12.5% in 2010 thanks to higher green energy output and reduced demand, the EurObserver Barometer said this week shows.

The increase is driven by a 1.7% year-on-year rise in gross final energy consumption from renewables. The percentage is small due to lower use of wood fuel and a slight increase in biofuels consumption. The consumption result was also helped by a 4.9% decline in total gross final energy demand thanks to mild winter in Europe and a slowdown in economic activity.

The share of renewable energy in total power consumption increased to 20.6% in 2011 from 19.8% in 2010.

The EurObserver Barometer publication includes a table indicating the renewable energy share in the national gross final energy consumption of each EU member state. Sweden leads in terms of renewable energy share, with 48.1% in 2010 but 47.6% for 2011. The country's 2020 target is 49%. Latvia follows with 2011 renewable energy share of 33.1% and 2020 target of 40%.

According to the statistics, Estonia and Romania have in 2011 slightly exceeded their 2020 targets of 25% and 24% share of renewables in energy demand, respectively.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!