Final energy consumption in the industrial sector of the European Union stood at 8990 petajoules (PJ) in 2023, marking a decrease of 5.3% compared to 2022, when it reached 9489 PJ. This decline continues a long-term trend that began in 1990, with total consumption falling by almost one third over more than thirty years, reflecting a significant shift in the structure of industrial demand in Europe.
Share of energy sources in industry
Electricity accounts for 32.6% of European industrial energy consumption, closely followed by natural gas at 31.3%. Oil products, which historically held a major share in the industrial energy mix, now represent 11.4%. Renewables and biofuels make up 11.2%, showing steady progress. Solid fossil fuels remain at 6%, derived heat reaches 5.3%, while non-renewable waste accounts for 2.1% of the overall split.
This evolution is explained by the diversification of supply sources, with a growing share of alternative energies and a progressive reduction in reliance on traditional fossil fuels. European industrial operators are adjusting their strategies to respond to new constraints relating to cost, resource availability, and regulation.
Transformation of the energy mix in the paper sector
In the paper, pulp and printing sector, renewables and biofuels have become the leading energy source, accounting for 70.3% of total consumption in this segment, or 302.5 PJ. In the production of paper and paper products (excluding pulp), renewables and biofuels reached 33.9% of consumption (246.8 PJ) for the first time, ahead of electricity (32.6%, 236.9 PJ) and natural gas (20.3%, 147.3 PJ).
This shift in the energy mix illustrates a transformation in industrial processes, driven by increased use of biomass and organic residues as primary materials. The statistics show that the adoption of these new energy sources varies widely across different sectors, with some segments still heavily dependent on natural gas and electricity.
The overall decline in industrial energy consumption in 2023 highlights the challenges of competitiveness, energy efficiency, and supply security that currently engage European decision-makers and industrial operators.
