According to a report issued by Eurostat, in 2008, energy from renewable sources was estimated to have contributed 10.3% of gross final energy consumption in the 27 member countries of the European Union, compared with 9.7% in 2007 and 8.8% in 2006.
The goal set by the 2009 Directive on renewable energy is a 20% share of total energy consumption by 2020. These targets take into account the member countries’ different starting points, renewable energy potential and economic performance.
Sweden topped the ranking with 44.4% of renewable energy sources in total consumption. Other top European users of renewable energy included Finland (30.5%), Latvia (29.9%), Austria (28.5%) and Portugal (23.2%). At the bottom of the league were Malta (0.2%), Luxembourg (2.1%), the United Kingdom (2.2%), the Netherlands (3.2%) and Belgium (3.3%).
The good news is that between 2006 and 2008, nearly all member countries 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 calculation is based on energy statistics covered by the Energy Statistics Regulation. Renewable energy sources cover solar thermal and photovoltaic energy, hydro (including tide, wave and ocean energy), wind, geothermal energy and biomass (including biological waste and liquid biofuels). The contribution of renewable energy from heat pumps is also covered in countries where this information was available.
2 Comments