In 2024, the European Union (EU) imported 57% of its available energy, while renewable sources emerged as the leading domestic energy production method, as indicated by data from Eurostat.
To summarize, the EU managed to produce 43% of its energy domestically, with the remainder—57%—coming from imports. Petroleum products remained the predominant energy source, accounting for 38% of the energy consumed within the EU, followed closely by natural gas, which supplied 21%. Notably, renewable energy sources contributed 48% to internal energy production, marking a significant transition towards greener energy. Despite these advancements, petroleum products still formed the largest share of final energy consumption, contributing to 37%. Additionally, the transportation sector was responsible for 31% of the final energy consumption in the Union.
The 2024 figures illustrate a striking juxtaposition of high external dependency alongside evolving energy production frameworks within the EU. The stark reality is that nearly three-fifths of the energy utilized by the Union was imported. This reliance on external sources raises questions about the long-term sustainability and security of the EU’s energy infrastructure.
Breaking down the energy mix, the dominance of petroleum products is evident, comprising 38% of the energy available. Following them are natural gas at 21%, renewable energy at 20%, nuclear energy at 12%, and solid fuels contributing 10%. Here, one can observe significant disparities among member states. Countries like Cyprus, Malta, and Luxembourg showcased the highest proportions of petroleum products in their energy supply. Natural gas was particularly critical for Italy, the Netherlands, Hungary, and Ireland. Meanwhile, countries such as Sweden, Latvia, and Denmark saw renewables dominating their energy landscape. France and Slovakia exhibited strong reliance on nuclear energy, while Estonia, Poland, and the Czech Republic maintained a notable dependence on solid fuels.
When examining internal energy production, renewables have taken center stage, making up 48% of the total. This is followed by nuclear energy at 28%, solid fuels at 15%, natural gas at 5%, and crude oil at 3%. The energy production structure varies considerably across member states, with some such as Malta, Latvia, Portugal, and Cyprus almost entirely reliant on renewable sources. In contrast, nuclear energy prevails in France and Slovakia, while solid fuels dominate in Poland and Estonia. Natural gas holds the largest share in Romania and the Netherlands.
The EU’s energy imports are primarily driven by petroleum and petroleum products, accounting for 67% of total imports. Natural gas follows closely at 24%, with solid fossil fuels at 4%, electricity at 3%, and renewable energy making up just 2%.
On the consumption front, petroleum products continue to reign supreme, contributing 37% to the final energy consumption. Electricity represents 23%, while natural and manufactured gas stands at 20%. Direct usage of renewable energy source accounts for 12% of final consumption.
Sector-wise, transportation consumes the most energy within the EU, at 31%, followed by households at 27%, industry at 25%, and commercial and public services at 13%.
This evolving energy framework within the EU reflects an ongoing transition from traditional energy sources towards those with lower emissions. While renewable energy has emerged as the primary domestic production source, the continued reliance on imports and the significant role of petroleum in final consumption reveal that the transformation of the European energy system is still incomplete, with significant variations among the member states.
