Energy consumption EU27 energy dependence rate at 54% in 2011 Energy consumption down by 6% between 2008 and 2011

Energy consumption
EU27 energy dependence rate at 54% in 2011
Energy consumption down by 6% between 2008 and 2011

13-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The economic slowdown observed in the EU since the beginning of the financial crisis is also visible in the evolution of energy consumption. Gross inland energy consumption1 in the EU27 fell from a level of 1 800 million tonnes of oil equivalent2 (toe) in 2008, to 1 700 mn toe in 2009, increased to 1 760 mn toe in 2010 and then fell again to 1 700 mn toe in 2011. Between 2008 and 2011, energy consumption in the EU27 has decreased by 6%.

The energy dependence rate3, defined as net imports divided by gross consumption, and which shows the extent to which a country is dependent on energy imports, was 54% in the EU27 in 2011, nearly stable since 2008.

These figures are issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Denmark, Estonia, Romania and the Czech Republic – least dependent on energy imports

The five largest energy consumers in 2011 in the EU27 were Germany (316 mn toe, -7.7% compared with 2008), France (260 mn toe, -4.6%), theUnited Kingdom (199 mn toe, -9.4%), Italy (173 mn toe, -4.8%) and Spain (129 mn toe, -9.4%), which together accounted for nearly two thirds of total EU27 consumption.

Twenty-three Member States registered decreases in their energy consumption between 2008 and 2011, and four increases. The largest falls were recorded in Lithuania (-24.5%), Ireland and Greece (both -12.3%), Romania
(-10.2%), Spain and the United Kingdom (both -9.4%), and the highest increases in Malta (+16.9%) and Estonia (+4.8%).

In 2011, the Member States the least dependent on energy imports were Estonia (12%), Romania (21%), the Czech Republic (29%), theNetherlands (30%), Poland (34%) and the United Kingdom (36%). Denmark (-9%) was a net exporter of energy and therefore had a negative dependence rate. The highest energy dependence rates were registered in Malta (101%), Luxembourg (97%), Cyprus (93%) and Ireland (89%).

Energy consumption and dependence rates

1. Gross inland energy consumption is defined as primary production plus imports, recovered products and stock change, less exports and fuel supply to maritime bunkers (for seagoing ships of all flags). It therefore reflects the energy necessary to satisfy inland consumption within the limits of national territory.
2. A tonne of oil equivalent (toe) is a standardised unit defined on the basis of one tonne of oil having a net calorific value of 41.868 Gigajoules. It is a convenient common measure used to sum up the different fuels, based on their energy content. Thus, for example, one GJ of nuclear power will be equivalent to 0.024 tonnes of oil, and one tonne of high grade coal contains the same amount of energy as 0.7 tonnes of oil. Lower grades will contain less energy.
3. The energy dependence rate is defined as net imports (imports minus exports) divided by gross consumption, expressed as a percentage. Gross consumption is equal to gross inland consumption plus the fuel (oil) supplied to international marine bunkers. A negative dependency rate indicates a net exporter of energy. A value greater than 100% occurs when net imports exceed gross consumption. In this case, energy products are placed in stocks and not used in the year of import.

Eurostat News Releases on the internet: http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/