In 2010 energy from renewable sources was estimated to have contributed 12.4% of gross final energy consumption in the EU
The contribution of renewable energy up to 12.4% of energy consumption in the EU in 2010 according to Eurostat. In addition, highest share of renewables were recorded in Sweden, Latvia, Finland, Austria and Portugal. The figures has been published in the framework of the EU Sustainable Energy Week that will take place until 22 of June.
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union in connection with the EU Sustainable Energy Week from 18 to 22 June 2012, published that in 2010, energy from renewable sources was estimated to have contributed 12.4% of gross final energy consumption in the EU, compared with 11.7% in 2009 and 10.5% in 2008. In February 2012, the Joint Research Centre published a report which showed that Member States plan to reach an overall share of 20.7% of energy from renewable sources by 2020.
With regard the figures estimated by Member States, the highest share of renewable energy in total consumption in 2010 was found in Sweden (47.9% of renewable energy sources in total consumption), Latvia (32.6%), Finland (32.2%), Austria (30.1%) and Portugal (24.6%), and the lowest in Malta (0.4%), Luxembourg (2.8%), the United Kingdom (3.2%) and the Netherlands (3.8%). Between 2006 and 2010, all Member States increased their share of renewable energy in total consumption. The largest increases were recorded in Estonia (from 16.1% in 2006 to 24.3% in 2010), Romania (from 17.1% to 23.4%), Denmark (from 16.5% to 22.2%), Sweden (from 42.7% to 47.9%) and Spain (from 9.0% to 13.8%).
Eurostat also underlined that the indicator 'Share of renewable energy to the gross final energy consumption' is calculated according to the Article 5 of the Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. This calculation is based on data covered by the Regulation (EC) 1099/2008 on energy statistics and complemented by specific additional data submitted by national administrations to Eurostat. While the statistical systems in some countries are not yet fully developed to meet all requirements of this Directive, national indicators can be considered as estimates.