eu industry — eu industry — The European Union’s industry sector has seen a notable reduction in energy use, consuming 8,835 petajoules (PJ) in 2024. This marks an 8.1 per cent decline compared to 2014, reflecting a significant shift towards more sustainable energy sources, according to recent data released by Eurostat.
Since 1990, the EU’s industrial energy consumption has consistently decreased, illustrating a long-term trend towards lower energy use across the bloc’s industrial landscape. In 2024, electricity emerged as the primary energy source, accounting for 2,945 PJ, or 33.3 per cent of total consumption. Natural gas closely followed, providing 2,817 PJ, which is 31.9 per cent of the energy used in the sector.
Interestingly, renewables and biofuels have gained ground, supplying 999 PJ, or 11.3 per cent of total consumption, surpassing oil and petroleum products that accounted for 922 PJ (10.4 per cent). The remaining energy sources included solid fossil fuels at 484 PJ (5.5 per cent) and heat, which also contributed 483 PJ (5.5 per cent). Non-renewable waste made up the smallest share at 186 PJ (2.1 per cent).
When analysing the changes since 2014, a decline was noted across most energy categories. The sharpest drop occurred in the consumption of solid fossil fuels, which plummeted by 34.8 per cent over the decade. Heat use also fell significantly, down by 23.7 per cent. Meanwhile, the use of non-renewable waste rose by 32.1 per cent, and renewables and biofuels saw an increase of 24.3 per cent.
However, not all sectors followed this downward trend. The food, beverages, and tobacco industry is one notable exception, where energy consumption actually increased. In 2024, this sector consumed 1,134 PJ of energy, representing 12.8 per cent of total industrial energy use. This marked a 4.7 per cent rise compared to 2014, making it one of the few areas to register higher energy consumption during this period.
Within this sector, natural gas was the dominant energy source, supplying 525 PJ (46.3 per cent), followed by electricity at 401 PJ (35.3 per cent). Renewables and biofuels contributed 68 PJ (6.0 per cent), while oil and petroleum products supplied 60 PJ (5.3 per cent). Heat accounted for 47 PJ (4.2 per cent), and solid fossil fuels made up 32 PJ (2.8 per cent). Notably, the use of renewables and biofuels within the food, beverages, and tobacco sector surged by 68.4 per cent since 2014, alongside a 47.4 per cent increase in the consumption of non-renewable waste.
Electricity consumption in this sector has also risen by 8.1 per cent, with natural gas usage increasing by 5.0 per cent. Conversely, the consumption of solid fossil fuels within the food, beverages, and tobacco industry has declined by 36.4 per cent, reflecting a broader move away from carbon-intensive energy sources.
