2024-01-10 16:51:27
This article was originally published in English
The EU has increased its renewable energy target for 2030.
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The amount of renewable energy used by EU countries is increasing, according to a recent report.
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, found that the share of renewable sources in gross energy consumption at EU level reached 23% in 2022.
This figure is up compared to 2021, when the share of renewable energies stood at 21.9%.
Here’s how different European countries compare.
Which EU country uses the most renewable energy?
Renewable energy sources include wind power, solar power (thermal, photovoltaic and concentrated),Hydro-electric powertidal energy, geothermal energy, ambient heat captured by heat pumps, biofuels and the renewable part of waste.
According to the Eurostat report, Sweden is the EU countries which used the most renewable energy in 2022.
Nearly two thirds of its gross final energy consumption came from renewable sources. Sweden has mainly relied on hydropower, wind power, solid and liquid biofuels, as well as heat pumps.
Finland comes second, with 47.9% of its energy coming from renewable sources. The Nordic country has also relied on hydropower, wind power and solid biofuels.
The Latvia follows with 43.3%, mainly thanks to hydroelectricity. Denmark (41.6%) and Estonia (38.5%) derive most of their renewable energy from wind power and solid biofuels.
Portugal (34.7%) relies on solid biofuels, wind energy, hydraulic energy and heat pumpswhile Austria (33.8%) mainly uses hydropower and solid biofuels.
The lowest proportions of renewable energy were recorded in Ireland (13.1%), Malta (13.4%), Belgium (13.8%) and Luxembourg (14.4%).
In total, 17 of the 27 EU member states reported shares below the EU average of 23% in 2022.
EU countries must increase their consumption of renewable energy
As part of the Renewable Energy Directive, the EU increased its renewable energy target for 2030 from 32% to 42.5%. The Union also aims to increase this target to 45% shortly.
“EU countries must therefore step up their efforts to collectively comply with the new EU target for 2030”indicates the Eurostat report. “This implies increasing the share of renewable energy sources in the EU’s gross final energy consumption by almost 20%.“.
Additionally, the EU aims to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 as part of the European Green Deal.
This ambitious set of measures aims to help European citizens and businesses benefit from a sustainable green transition.
The use of renewable energy helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, diversify energy supplies and reduce dependence on fossil fuel markets.
The growth of renewable energy sources can also boost employment in the EU by creating positions in new “green” technologies.
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