Renewable energy in the EU

Due to the recent energy crisis, there is a growing focus on renewable energy sources within the European Union (EU) as a possible solution to challenges such as energy security and high prices. The 2023 Renewable Energy Directive (RED) requires the EU to achieve a 42.5 % share of renewable energy sources (RES) in gross final energy consumption by 2030. As of 2022, the EU has reached a 23 % share of renewables in its energy consumption. In analysing the EU’s energy landscape, it is crucial to note that the EU currently produces less than half of the energy required to meet domestic demand. In 2022, 62.5 % of energy consumed in the EU was imported. While the EU lacks a specific target for the share of renewables in production, in 2022, renewable sources already accounted for 43.2 % of the EU’s primary energy production. Ongoing efforts aim to accelerate the rollout of renewables, including by simplifying permit-granting procedures. This infographic presents the share of renewables consumed and produced across the EU’s energy market – compared with other energy sources and, where possible, by renewable energy source. Boosting investment in renewables is also an important part of the electricity market reform, therefore the infographic illustrates the share of different renewable energy sources in the EU electricity mix.