(Finance) – L ‘Europe It is, among the great economies, thearea with the greatest degree of energy dependence: 58.3% of the energy needs depend on the imports while the figure drops to 20% for China and is zero for the United States, which are totally self -sufficient in production compared to energy needs. This is what emerges from Sesto Med & Italian Energy Reportmade with the support of the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation and the result of the scientific synergy between SRM (Study Center connected to the group Intesa Sanpaolo) and the Esl@Energycenter Lab of the Polytechnic of Turin, and of the collaboration with the Matching Energies Foundation.
It is observed that a high level of energy dependence It exposes the individual countries to volatility more of the prices of energy commodities on international markets and the impacts of geopolitical tensions, conditioning competitiveness compared to the most self -sufficient countries.
Looking specifically to the production of electricity, a two -year period has been underwayImportant modification of the European generation mix. The use of coal has decreased drastically from 32% of 2000 to about 12% (latest data available) while the share of natural gas from 12% to 17% has slightly increased. Renewable energies dominate today, from 15% to 2000 to 45%. A rhythm of expansion of electricity from renewables rather than double by 2030 is expected.
Among the main European countries: the Spain It has a more balanced mix and with the highest weight of renewables that reach 51% of the total in 2023; there Germany It is the country with the highest use of coal (26% of the total), even if in a strong reduction. In France The energy mix is dominated by nuclear power (64% of the total).
Within the European panorama theItaly is the Country with the greatest degree of energy dependence equal to 74.8% well above the European average. This value, however, is down almost three percentage points compared to the 2019 data in the Covid ante when the addiction was 77.5%. France is the country with the least degree of dependence equal to 44.8% thanks to the use of nuclear power.
At the beginning of the withdrawal season (1 November 2024), Italy reached a level of filling of gas storage natural equal to 98.5% beyond the European average, ensuring a coverage margin against any risks associated with gas supplies for the winter season 2024/25.
According to the report, theIncrease in renewable production It is the way to follow to free Italy on addiction to gas imports. The latest data from Terna for 2024 show that the request for electricity was satisfied for 42.5% by production from non -renewable energy sources, for 41.2% by renewable energy sources (the maximum of all time) and the remaining share (16.3%) from the foreign balance. The gap with the intermediate objectives of 2025 (48%) and 2030 (65%) provided for by the PNIEC (integrated national plan and climate) requires a strong commitment.
Among the different sources Very positive is the trend of photovoltaics: +19.3% on 2023 Together they covered 18.6% of the national electricity needs.