State of Energy Union in 2021 and 2022

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Figures in 2021


In 2021, the EU Commission published the State of the Energy Union 2021, that it takes stock of changes and progress in the implementation of EU energy and climate policies, including energy union through its 5 pillars, on the road to climate neutrality by 2050.

Obviously, the war events that began in February 2022 risk slowing future progress and also blocking some transitions, albeit temporarily.

​Achieving European goals requires wiser use of energy and effective measures to combat climate change. The goal of achieving a transition to a low-carbon, safe and competitive EU economy remains valid, although coal may be needed in the short to medium term.

The 2021 State of the Energy Union highlights the following points:

  • In 2020, greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 31% compared to 1990 (both due to pandemic and decarbonisation policies)
  • Renewable energies overtook fossil fuels as the EU's main energy source in 2020 (38% of EU electricity, 37% from fossil fuels and 25% from nuclear 25%). Overall EU energy mix close to 22% on average;
  • EU primary energy consumption decreased by 1.9% and final energy consumption by 0.6% in 2019 compared to 2018;
  • Increase in dependence on net energy imports: 60.6% in 2019, 58.2% in 2018, to 56% in 2000;
  • Subsidies for fossil fuels have fallen to € 52 billion from € 56 billion in 2012. This is due to lower COVID-19 consumption, but will increase if coal is used due to the war in Ukraine;
  • To date, nine Member States have phased out coal;
  • Energy prices have fluctuated violently. First they contracted and then they surged: wholesale electricity prices increased by 230% on an annual basis with a moderate impact increase on retail prices until September 2021 (+11% EU average) 11. And this above all due to the increase in the price of gas;
  • Public spending on research and innovation in clean energy in Member States continues to be lower than in 2010, but national and EU funding for recovery for research and innovation in clean energy may partially offset this amount;
  • Energy poverty: 31 million people in the EU in 2019;
  • Adoption of the European climate law and the "Delivering the European Green Deal" package proposed by the Commission in mid-2021;
  • Member States' plans for recovery and resilience are expected to boost climate-related investments of at least EUR 177 billion 17 and promote the reforms needed to support the climate and energy transition.


The State of the energy union 2021 report is accompanied by a wide range of reports and annexes outlining the progress made in different fields of energy and climate policy.

Some figures for 2022


Due to the pandemic, the rise of consumption and the war in Ukraine, the whole world is subject to widespread energy stresses and this is pushing the EU to accelerate its energy transition to depend more and more on renewable sources.

In addition, 2022 has seen turbulence in energy markets, price volatility and energy insecurity across the world, which has had a huge impact on the EU’s energy system. To reflect the new geopolitical realities and to address the need for affordable energy, the EU and its Member States are reshaping and accelerating their energy and climate strategies.


The Commission report for 2022 is summarized as follow:
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  • LNG share up - Liquefied Natural Gas is now a key source of supply accounting for 32% of EU total net gas imports
  • Renewables up - The EU generated a record 12% of its electricity from solar from May to August 2022, and 13% from wind
  • Solar energy up - early indications suggest that 2022 will be a record year for the European solar photovoltaics (PV) market with annual deployment growth in the largest EU countries markets between 17-26%
  • Renewables in future up - The share of renewables in the electricity mix is expected to grow from 37% in 2021 to 69% in 2030
  • EU will finance Hydrogen - with the EU pledging more than EUR 21 billion in the coming years for hydrogen (with Common European Interest mechanism IPCEI and Recovery and Resilience Facility RRF)
  • Hydrogen Production - Electrolyser manufacturers in Europe have committed to increase their capacity to manufacture electrolysers tenfold: to 17.5 GW by 2025
  • CO2 emission down - In 2020, the EU surpassed its targets on emissions reduction (32%), energy efficiency (5 to 6% lower than the 20% target) and renewables (22.1%), even if figures rebounded in 2021, they remain below pre-pandemic levels
  • Fossil fuel  - Subsides - Stable - After falling by more than 5% in 2020 due to covid restrictions, fossil fuel subsidies in the EU remained fairly stable in 2021, as the increase in transport and industry was compensated by the decreasing in fossil subsidies in the energy sector