The EU relies heavily on energy imports, importing over 50% of its total energy needs. The EU's energy demand is growing while its domestic production is decreasing. Currently, fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal make up around 80% of the EU's energy needs. This over-reliance on imported fossil fuels leaves the EU vulnerable geopolitically. To increase its energy security, the EU aims to reduce energy demand through greater efficiency, boost renewable energy production to 20% of needs by 2020, and diversify its supplier base away from Russia which currently supplies around 30% of the EU's oil and gas imports. Major pipeline projects are planned to connect the EU to new suppliers while reducing dependence on Russia.

1. The EU’s Energy Supply European Economic Integration Metropolitan University Prague Martin Kolmhofer 2011/2012

2. Video: Energy Security in Europe

3. The EU represents 7,2 % of the world’s population, but it accounts for 14 % of worldwide energy demand.

4. Compared to other world regions the EU has a high energy demand

5. Energy demand by sectors: 1. Transport 2. Households 3. Industry 4. Services 5. Agriculture

6. 5 member countries (Germany, France, GB, Italy, Spain) account for 64 % of the EU’s energy demand. The ton of oil equivalent (toe) is a unit of energy: the amount of energy released by burning one ton of crude oil.

7. Local differences: Climate? Density of Transport Networks? (Modern) Industry?

8. 50 % of the energy produced in the EU is generated from coal, oil and gas (fossil fuels)

9. Nuclear energy: 27,2 % Renewable energy: 19,7 %

10. EU on average has to import 56,6 % of its energy demand. Some countries are less dependent: Poland (uses most of its coal itself) Sweden (renewable energy, mostly water) France (nuclear power)

12. Trend: Energy consumption in the EU increases, energy production decreases

13. What type of energy does the EU need? Fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal) account for almost 80% of the EU’s energy needs

14. Important suppliers: Russia, Norway, Algeria, Qatar, Libya (These countries together supply about 70 % of oil and gas imports)

16. Potential for energy saving especially in the area of transportation

17. Increasing production/generation of energy? Not much potential for more fossille fuels Shale gas (hydrauylic fracturing)? Renewable energy?

19. Alternative nuclear energy? … is only used by some member states

20. 143 nuclear power plants in EU Increasing public concern after Fukushima (March 2011) Italy: Voters rejected a referendum proposal to restart the country's nuclear energy program in June 2011. Germany: phasing-out nuclear power until 2022 – to be replaced by gas power plants

21. Diversifying supplier base: The EU has signed contracts with countries such as: Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Nigeria, Trinidad & Tobago, Australia Russia still plays the central role

22. Planned “southern corridor” to limit dependence from Russia. Pipeline should bypass Ukraine and Belarus and connect EU directly with the countries of the Caspian Sea region.

23. Nabucco Pipeline: should transport gas from Turkmenistan and Azerbaidjan via Turkey to Austria. Delays - start of construction scheduled for 2013.

25. Inaugurated on 8 November 2011 Nord Stream: offshore natural gas pipeline from Vyborg in Russia to Greifswald in Germany