Brussels, 11/02/2016 (Agence Europe) - The share of renewables in energy consumption in the EU rose further to 16% in 2014, almost double that of 2004 (8.5%). Nine member states have already achieved their 2020 targets, according to the most recent Eurostat figures published on Wednesday 11 February.
With more than half (52.6%) of all energy coming from renewable sources in its gross final consumption of energy, Sweden had by far in 2014 the highest share, ahead of Latvia and Finland (both 38.7%), Austria (33.1%) and Denmark (29.2%).
At the opposite end of the scale, the lowest proportions of renewables were registered in Luxembourg (4.5%), Malta (4.7%), the Netherlands (5.5%) and the United Kingdom (7.0%).
As part of its commitment in the fight against climate change, in 2009, the EU set itself the target of increasing the share of renewable energies in final energy consumption at 20% by 2020. Each member state has set its own target up to this date. The national targets take into account the different original starting points in the different countries, as well as their renewable energy potential and member states' own economic performances.
In addition to Sweden (52.6% in 2014, compared to a 49% target for 2020), eight other member states have already reached their target - Finland (38.7%, for a target of 38%), Croatia (27.9%, as opposed to its 20% target), Estonia (26.5%, compared to its 25% target), Romania (24.9%, compared to its target of 24%), Lithuania (23.9%, compared to its 23% target), Bulgaria (18%, compared to its 16% target), Italy (17.1%, compared to its 17% target) and the Czech Republic (13.4%, compared to its 13% target).
Austria (33.1% in 2014, 34% target in 2020) and Denmark (29.2%, compared to its 30% target) are less than one percentage point from reaching their 2020 targets.
On the other hand, varying levels of effort still need to be made by the other member states if they are to reach their targets: Germany (13.8% in 2014, for an 18% target in 2020), Belgium (8%, for a 13% target), Cyprus (9% in 2014, for a 13% target), Spain (16.2%, for target of 20%), France (14.3% in 2014, for a 23% target in 2020), Greece (15.3%, for a target of 18%), Hungary (9.5%, for 13% target), Ireland (8.6%, for 16% target), Latvia (38.7%, for a target of 40%), Luxembourg (4.5%, for 11% target), Malta (4.7%, for a 10% target), the Netherlands (5.5%, for target of 14%), Poland (11.4%, for a target of 15%), Portugal (27%, from 31% target), the United Kingdom (7%, for a target of 15%), Slovenia (21.9%, from 25% target) and Slovakia (11.6%, for a target of 14%). (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)