2023 breaks renewable energy record

Eurostat's latest publication "Shedding light on energy in Europe - 2025 edition" is a comprehensive interactive analysis covering the state of the European Union's energy sector in 2023 and the first half of 2024. The document details the structure of energy production and consumption, the degree of import dependence, price dynamics and environmental impacts.

Despite the steady growth of renewable sources, petroleum products still accounted for the largest share of the EU energy mix in 2023, at 37.7 per cent. This was followed by natural gas (20.4%), renewable energy (19.5%), solid fossil fuels (10.6%) and nuclear energy (11.8%). Interestingly, the share of RES varied from 50.2 per cent in Sweden to 14 per cent in Luxembourg.

For the first time in EU history, renewable energy took the leading position in energy production with 46% of the total. Nuclear energy ranked second (29%), while solid fuels accounted for 17%. Some countries showed almost complete dependence on RES: Latvia - 99.4%, Portugal - 98%, Cyprus - 96.5%.

Imports remained the dominant source of energy: the EU purchased 58% of its energy from outside. The main import is oil (65%), followed by gas (25%) and coal (5%). After the sanctions against Russia, its share in supplies fell to 4% (oil), 11% (gas) and 1% (coal). The US, Norway and Australia became the leaders in supplies.

In 2023, the largest energy consumer in the EU is transport (32% of final consumption), followed by households (26%) and industry (25%). Despite the growing trend of energy efficiency, fuel still accounts for 37% of consumption, while electricity accounts for 23% and RES for 25% (including indirect consumption through electricity).

In the first half of 2024, household electricity prices reach €40 per 100 kWh in Germany and €37 in Ireland and Denmark. The lowest tariffs are in Hungary (€11) and Bulgaria (€12). Gas was the most expensive in Sweden (€18) and the cheapest again in Hungary (€3).

Greenhouse gas emissions in the EU in 2022 amounted to 3.2 billion tonnes of CO₂-equivalent - a 31% reduction compared to 1990. The reduction leaders are Romania (-73%) and Sweden (-72%). The EU's goal is to achieve a 55% reduction by 2030 and full carbon neutrality by 2050.

In 2023, primary energy consumption in the EU fell to 1,211 million tonnes of oil equivalent, the lowest since 2005. Final consumption also fell by 3% to 894 million tonnes of oil equivalent. About 7 per cent of the path remains to be travelled before the 2030 targets are met.

In the first half of 2024, household electricity prices reach €40 per 100 kWh in Germany and €37 in Ireland and Denmark. The lowest tariffs are in Hungary (€11) and Bulgaria (€12). Gas was the most expensive in Sweden (€18) and the cheapest again in Hungary (€3).

Greenhouse gas emissions in the EU in 2022 amounted to 3.2 billion tonnes of CO₂-equivalent - a 31% reduction compared to 1990. The reduction leaders are Romania (-73%) and Sweden (-72%). The EU's goal is to achieve a 55% reduction by 2030 and full carbon neutrality by 2050.

In 2023, primary energy consumption in the EU fell to 1,211 million tonnes of oil equivalent, the lowest since 2005. Final consumption also fell by 3% to 894 million tonnes of oil equivalent. About 7 per cent of the path remains to be travelled before the 2030 targets are met.