In 2009, oil remained the main source of energy in the EU27, with a share of 37% in the total gross inland energy consumption. However, there have been changes in the mix of sources contributing to gross inland energy consumption over the last decade. The share of renewable energy has almost doubled, from 5% of total gross inland energy consumption in 1999 to 9% in 2009, while gas rose from 22% to 24%. Nuclear energy remained almost stable at 14% during this period, while oil fell from 39% to 37% and solid fuels from 18% to 16%.

These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union in connection with the EU Sustainable Energy Week3 from 11 to 15 April 2011, which promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Renewable energy main source in Latvia and Sweden

Oil represented more than half of energy supply in Malta (100% of total gross inland energy consumption), Cyprus (96%), Luxembourg (63%), Greece (55%), Ireland (52%) and Portugal (50%). The highest shares of gas were observed in the Netherlands (43%), Italy and the United Kingdom (both 38%) and Hungary (36%). The largest proportions for solid fuels were registered in Estonia (58%), Poland (54%), the Czech Republic (41%) and Bulgaria (36%), for nuclear energy in France (40%), Lithuania (34%) and Sweden (29%), and for renewable energy in Latvia (36%), Sweden (34%), Austria (27%) and Finland (23%).

Largest increases in the share of renewable energy in Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Portugal

Renewable energy comprises hydro, wind, biomass, geothermal and solar energy. All Member States showed increases in the share of renewable energy in their energy supply between 1999 and 2009, with the largest increases in Denmark (from 8% of total gross inland energy consumption in 1999 to 17% in 2009), Sweden (from 27% to 34%), Germany (from 2% to 8%), Portugal (from 13% to 19%), Slovakia (from 3% to 7%), Austria (from 23% to 27%), Latvia (from 32% to 36%), Spain (from 5% to 9%), Slovenia (from 9% to 13%) and Hungary (from 3% to 7%).