How dependent is the EU on energy imports?

The EU already imports 50% of its energy needs. This dependency will increase to over 70% by 2030, mainly due to the depletion of the North Sea oil and gas reservoirs.

 

Where will oil come from in future decades?

Nearly two thirds of world oil reserves are concentrated in six countries around the Persian Gulf. Within the next two decades, their share of global oil production will be certain to show a strong increase, as reserves in other exporting countries simultaneously decrease.

 

When will global oil production begin to decline?

New discoveries of oil reserves have been declining since the 1960s. Since the 1980s, new discoveries are made at a lower rate than global oil is produced. The global oil output peak could be reached as early as 2006 (Oil & Gas Journal, 26 April 2004). However, after that peak, a long-term decline in oil production will be unavoidable.

 

What consequences will this have for us?

If alternative energy sources are not developed quickly enough, global economic and political instability, more conflicts and possibly shortages of energy supply are already on the agenda. For Europe, import dependency will become an increasing problem as large developing countries such as China and India increase their energy consumption.

 

Are conventional energy sources an alternative?

The main conventional alternatives are gas, coal and nuclear. Gas production will reach its peak a few decades after oil. A massive increase in coal usage would further boost climatic change. Most EU citizens are averse to nuclear power expansion, due to its incalculable risks for safety and health.

 

What are the real alternatives?

Renewable energies and energy savings are the only real alternatives available to secure the energy supply. The development of renewables must be forced as soon as possible to avoid serious risks for Europe’s society.

 

Can solar thermal energy really contribute to our energy supply?

Solar thermal systems replace precious gas, oil and electricity used for heating or cooling purposes. In EU-15 alone, the potential usage of solar thermal equates to 58Mtoe per annum, i.e. 30% of the EU oil imports from the Middle East in 1999.

 

Description: While the discovery of new oil sources is decreasing, the global demand and, therefore, the global production is rising continuously. The EU is becoming more and more dependent on energy imports, mostly from unsecure regions of the world.

 

Source: Data provided on www.peakoil.net

 

Download: This page as a nicely layouted PDF (84 kB) or as part of the complete ECP (570 kB).

 

Copyright notice: The content of the European Communications Pack (ECP) - including the graphics - may be used freely without charge under the condition that the source is appropriately mentioned (in most cases ESTIF, except where explicitly specified).