09/04/2021 (Agence Europe) – Figures from the EU’s gas and electricity markets for the 4th quarter of 2020 show consumption levels closer to “normal levels” than those of the first three quarters, according to reports published on Friday 9 April by the European Commission. Over the last year, EU electricity and natural gas consumption has decreased by 4% and 3% respectively compared to 2019. In addition, the share of renewable electricity in the energy mix exceeded the share of fossil fuels for the first time ever (39% versus 36%). However, “most of the drivers for this change (the pandemic, favourable weather conditions, high hydroelectric production) were exceptional”, the Commission notes. The institution added: “The fourth quarter brought electricity consumption close to pre-pandemic levels”. The same trend can be seen in natural gas consumption, which rose by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. See reports: https://bit.ly/2POu31C; https://bit.ly/3s4xYV8 (DG)