Comparison of energy efficiency performance of new EU members and Accession countries with the EU-15

Bruno Lapillonne, Enerdata
Didier Bosseboeuf, Ademe

Keywords

energy efficiency, potential, evaluation, comparison

Abstract

This paper discusses the problem of comparing energy efficiency performance across countries at a macro level, taking the example of the new EU members from Central Europe and the Baltic. Specific indicators, called adjusted indicators, have been developed that attempt to correct for quantifiable differences across countries. Several adjustments have been performed, such as purchasing power parity, climate, economic and industrial structures, and primary fuel mix, to make more comparable the energy intensities. Macro and sectoral results are presented by country with a comparison to the EU-15 average. The comparison after all adjustment still reveals a generally low level of efficiency, from an economic viewpoint. However using physical indicators, in particular in industry, the gap in energy efficiency performance with the EU-15 is less important. With this quantitative analysis, it is possible to evaluate ex-ante possible scope for energy efficiency progress.

This analysis relies on the results of a SAVE project gathering national energy efficiency agencies of these countries. Within the project, a data base has been developed on 50 energy efficiency indicators including economic indicators, such as energy intensities, physical indicators by end uses and adjusted indicators for cross country comparison.