Primary energy consumption in the European Union fell by 3.9% last year

Primary energy consumption in the European Union fell by 3.9% last year, compared to 2022, new data from Eurostat has revealed.

According to the data, primary energy consumption in the EU reached 1,211 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in 2023, indicating that the bloc is edging closer to the 2030 target of 992.5 Mtoe, with the gap now standing at 22%.

Primary energy consumption in 2023 was at its lowest level since 1990, and 2% lower than 2020, a year that saw a sharp decline in energy usage due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2006 was a peak year for primary energy consumption, at 1,511 Mtoe.

Final energy consumption stood at 894 Mtoe last year, a 3.0% decline on the previous year. In 2023, final energy consumption stood at 17.2% above the 2030 target (763 Mtoe), compared with 20.8% the year before. This was the second-lowest level since 1990, and only 0.3% higher than the pandemic year of 2020.

The European Union’s directive on energy efficiency targets of no more than 763 Mtoe for final energy consumption and no more than 992.5 Mtoe for primary energy consumption by 2030. Read more here.

Read more: What EU country generated the most energy from renewables last year?

Primary energy consumption by EU member state, in million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe), 2023

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