Energy consumption in 2018

Primary and final energy consumption still 5% and 3% away from 2020 targets

In 2018, energy consumption in the European Union of 27 Member States (EU) remained stable. Primary energy
consumption reached 1 376 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe), 0.71% less than the previous year, while final
energy consumption reached 990 Mtoe, 0.02% more than 2017.
The EU has an energy efficiency target of reducing energy consumption by 20% by 2020. The primary energy
consumption should amount to no more than 1 312 Mtoe and final energy consumption to no more than 959 Mtoe in
2020. The EU energy efficiency target for 2030 aims at a primary energy consumption of no more than 1 128 Mtoe
and a final energy consumption of no more than 846 Mtoe.
Primary energy consumption measures total domestic energy demand, while final energy consumption refers to
what end users actually consume. The difference relates mainly to what the energy sector needs itself and to
transformation and distribution losses.
In 2018, primary energy consumption in the EU was 4.9% above the efficiency target for 2020 and 22.0% away
from the 2030 target. Since 1990, the first year for which data are available, primary energy consumption has
fluctuated greatly, with a peak in 2006 (1 511 Mtoe representing a 15.2% gap from the 2020 target) and one of the
lowest levels reached in 2014 (1 332 Mtoe representing a 1.5% gap from the 2020 target).

Download full report here Latest EurobarometerEU figures highlight EU energy efficiency gap