In 2008, energy from renewable sources was estimated to have contributed 10.3% of gross final energy consumption in the EU27, compared with 9.7% in 2007 and 8.8% in 2006. The 2009 Directive on renewable energy set individual targets for all Member States, such that the EU will reach a 20% share of total energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020. These targets take into account the Member States' different starting points, renewable energy potential and economic performance.

These figures are taken from a report issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Highest share of renewables in Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Austria and Portugal

The highest share of renewable energy in total consumption in 2008 was found in Sweden (44.4% of renewable energy sources in total consumption), Finland (30.5%), Latvia (29.9%), Austria (28.5%) and Portugal (23.2%), and the lowest in Malta (0.2%), Luxembourg (2.1%), the United Kingdom (2.2%), the Netherlands (3.2%) and Belgium (3.3%).

Between 2006 and 2008, nearly all Member States increased their share of renewable energy in total consumption. The largest increases were recorded in Austria (from 24.8% in 2006 to 28.5% in 2008), Estonia (from 16.1% to 19.1%), Romania (from 17.5% to 20.4%), Portugal (from 20.5% to 23.2%) and Slovakia (from 6.2% to 8.4%).