Energy consumption in the EU

The EU Energy Efficiency Directive sets targets to cut primary and final energy consumption, with countries required to submit action plans to achieve national targets. Whilst progress has been made, the overall picture of fuel sources and user consumption in the EU remains fragmented along national lines.

Energy consumption statistics measure both the use of primary fuels directly extracted or captured from natural resources, and of secondary energy sources which result either from energy transformation or from direct use of primary fuels, e.g. gas. Gross inland energy consumption (or total energy inputs to an economy) represents the quantity of energy necessary to satisfy the inland consumption of a country, whilst primary energy refers to energy consumed to produce energy. Final energy consumption includes all energy delivered to the final consumer (industry, transport, households and other sectors including services, fishing and agriculture).

Written by Eulalia Claros.