EU produces record wind and solar energy as it shirks Russian gas
In the first four quarters of 2018, EU energy consumption accounted for a record share of EU’s total electricity, gas and heat consumption. This was mainly thanks to its vast wind power capacity (13.3%), a large capacity of solar installations (29.8%) and its own nuclear plants, which accounted for 5.6% of electricity demand. In order to make the most of this abundant energy, EU has turned to the energy intensive transport sector. Transport accounted for 3.9% of EU’s electricity consumption, with transport by road, rail and air combining to make up nearly a quarter of EU’s transport electricity demand. This is in line with the EU’s long term goal to eliminate all its CO2 emissions.
In the first four quarters of 2018, EU energy consumption accounted for a record share of EU’s total electricity, gas and heat consumption. This was mainly thanks to its vast wind power capacity (13.3%), a large capacity of solar installations (29.8%) and its own nuclear plants, which accounted for 5.6% of electricity demand. In order to make the most of this abundant energy, EU has turned to the energy intensive transport sector. Transport accounted for 3.9% of EU’s electricity consumption, with transport by road, rail and air combining to make up nearly a quarter of EU’s transport electricity demand. This is in line with the EU’s long term goal to eliminate all its CO2 emissions.
Coal and Lignite Consumption
In the first four quarters of 2018, EU coal and lignite consumption increased by a total of 9.3% and 7% respectively. This is in line with what was predicted by the Energy Union and in line with the forecasts of the International Energy Agency. The main drivers behind this increase are the increasing demand in the electricity generation sector due to the increase in renewable sources and a reduction in the consumption of coal-fired power plants.
Wind power capacity in the EU increased by 5.6% in the first four quarters of 2018, while nuclear capacity increased by a