EU electricity consumption grows despite efficiency drive: report

Despite measures to improve energy efficiency and curb carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Europe, a study has found that these efforts are being outstripped by the growing economy where electricity is more and more in demand.

The report, from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), shows that between 1999 and 2004, Europe’s electricity consumption rose in line with GDP growth, effectively nullifying the energy-efficiency improvements made duringthat period.

Based on a 2006 survey of electricity consumption in buildings and on the market share of energy-efficient appliances, the study found electricity consumption grew in all sectors of the economy, reaching 15.6% in the tertiary (service) sector, 9.5% in the industrial sector and 10.8% in the residential sector.

The increase of energy consumption can be explained by the widespread use of traditional appliances such as dishwashers and air conditioners, as well as ‘the increased number of double or triple appliances, mainly TVs and refrigerators/freezers in households, and the general increase in single family houses and larger houses and apartments’, states the report.

EUbusiness