Renewable energies: the European Union has won its bet in 2020, but not France Share Read also Job offers

In the European class, France wears the dunce cap when it comes to renewable energies. Eurostat, the Directorate-General responsible for statistical information of the European Commission, published its barometer on 18 January concerning the renewable share of the energy mix of each Member State in 2020. The data presented is compared with the objectives set by the 27 as part of the energy-climate package.

Adopted in 2008, then revised in 2014, this European framework was based on three so-called “3 x 20” targets, including an increase of up to 20% of renewable energies in the gross final energy consumption of the European Union. In addition to this overall objective, each Member State should, as a reminder, aim for its own national objective. France had committed to achieving a 23% share of renewable energy by 2020.

Eurostat thus estimates that in 2020, the average share taken by renewable energies in the European mix was 22.1%. Of all the Member States, three have reached their target without exceeding it, partly through statistical transfer agreements with other countries which are better at it: Slovenia (25%), the Netherlands (14 %) and Belgium (13%). Only France failed to meet its commitment, with 19.1% renewable energy in its mix.

The European statistical body also specifies that wind and hydropower accounted for two thirds (36% and 33% respectively) of the renewable electricity produced in Europe in 2020. Solar energy, on the other hand, is “ the fastest growing source”. From 1% in 2008, for 7.4 terawatt hours (TWh), its share rose to 14%, for 144.2 TWh twelve years later. In addition, the production of heat and cold came, on average, 23% from renewable energies in 2020.

Finally, Eurostat adds that the European Union has succeeded in achieving its objective on the transport front. In 2020, 10.2% of the energy used in the transport sector was of renewable origin (biofuels, biomethane, hydrogen or electricity), for an overall target of 10%. This result was made possible by increases in this share in all Member States between 2019 and 2020 – except in Finland and France.

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