(05 February 2018) – In 2016, primary energy consumption in the EU was 4% off the efficiency target.
Since 1990, the consumption has reduced by 1.7%. However, over the years, the distance from primary energy consumption target has fluctuated greatly. Over the last two years the gap rose again, to 4% above the 2020 target, equating to a consumption of 1 543 tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe).
While 19 Member States increased their energy consumption between 1996 and 2006, growth in energy consumption was recorded in only two Member States between 2006 and 2016: Estonia (13.4% increase to 6.2 Mtoe in 2016) and Poland (3.2% increase to 99.9 Mtoe in 2016).
Among the 26 Member States where energy consumption decreased, Greece (-23.6%), Malta (- 22.5%) and Romania (-20.2%) recorded decreases of more than 20%.