February is coming to an end. Did you feel the heat? No, neither did we – just as dreadful as always. But statistics don’t lie*): this February has been exceptionally warm and wet. And this is problematic, as our core audience would know by now. How can we stop – or at least slow the pace of climate change? The short answer is: Renewable energy!
Eurostat released some important statistics about renewable energy today and as we know that you (our core audience) count on us to follow Eurostat updates, this weeks post is all about renewables in the Nordics.
What we see is good news! Denmark is rapidly catching up in the renewable electricity sector. Sweden is championing renewable transport, and Iceland harnessing its geothermal prowess for heating. Norway’s hydropower continues to set a high bar, while Finland showcases solid gains across the board. This data-rich narrative charts the Nordics’ ambitious journey toward a renewable future. Join us to explore the numbers that highlight the Nordics as leaders in renewable energy.
Overall Energy Consumption: Iceland is at the forefront with an impressive 86% of its energy sourced from renewables, mainly due to its hydro- and geothermal strength. Norway follows with 76%, benefiting from its vast hydropower resources (remember high mountains and a lot of rain). Sweden, with 66%, showcases a diverse mix of renewables (including nuclear), while Finland and Denmark are at 48% and 43%, respectively, both making strong advances in wind energy and biomass.
Electricity: The electricity sector showcases Norway’s outstanding figure of 120%, likely indicating energy exportation beyond self-consumption. Iceland stands out with its 100% renewable electricity, a testament to its geothermal and hydro capabilities. Denmark and Sweden, both with figures over 70%, reflect their efficient wind power utilization. Finland’s 48% indicates a commitment to integrating renewable sources into its electricity grid.
Transport: Sweden leads the renewable transport sector with 29%, meeting the EU’s 2030 target eight years ahead of schedule, propelled by its adoption of biofuels and electric vehicles. Finland’s 24% is commendable, backed by similar advancements. Norway’s figure of 19% is indicative of its world-recognized electric vehicle uptake. Denmark (13%) and Iceland (11%) show potential for further development in this sector (not that we want to point fingers – that’s absolutely not what we do in the Nordics, but… ).
Heating/Cooling: In the heating/cooling sector, Iceland’s renewable use is nearly universal at 97%, predominantly through geothermal heating. Sweden and Estonia (not really Nordic but we just think they are very cool), have significant figures, suggesting that efficient heating strategies could be an area of knowledge transfer within the Nordic/Baltic cooperation. Sweden’s 69% and Finland’s 65% are notably high, likely due to the use of biomass and district heating systems which are prevalent in these countries.
Conclusion: The year 2022 underscores the Nordic countries’ robust commitment to renewable energy. This is the result of a strategic approach to incorporating sustainable solutions in electricity, transport, and heating/cooling which sets a standard for others within the EU and globally. While the EU average for renewable energy shares is on an upward trend, the Nordics exemplify what can be achieved with concerted effort and policy support. Their continued investment and innovation in renewable energy pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Source: Eurostat (NRG-IND-REN), with Iceland’s data from 2021.
The statistics on renewable energy in electricity was released today and more information can be found here: Statistics Explained article on renewable energy.
Up Next: Uncovering Future Trends in Sustainability 📢
In navigating the sustainability and circular economy landscape, we’re constantly faced with new challenges and opportunities. We will continue to share the latest and most relevant stories in this evolving field. Join us next Wednesday for our next piece, where we’ll explore fresh advancements and insights that are shaping a more sustainable society.
*) …of course you can lie with statistics but we would never…
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