Energy Efficiency Lookouts

Abstract

This article aims to carry out a comparative analysis in the European Union and in Romania, in the period 1991-2021, on the achievement of the ambitious energy efficiency objectives, by assessing the achievement of the assumed targets for primary and final energy consumption at the level of the years 2020 and 2030. Since 2007, EU leaders have been concerned about the decarbonisation of the energy sector, a first essential measure being to reduce energy consumption by 20% by 2020. As part of the decarbonisation objectives for 2050, we start from this premise, according to which energy efficiency must be improved, thus accelerating the transition of all member states of the European Union to clean energy and sustainable growth of economies. So, by using energy more efficiently and therefore consuming less, we can contribute both to protecting the environment and to mitigating climate change. The hypothesis from which we start in this study is that the target for 2020 of the level of primary and final energy consumption has been met, due to the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to test this hypothesis, Eurostat data were analyzed using the quantitative research method for both the European Union and Romania. As a result of the analysis carried out, this hypothesis can be fully confirmed, since from 2021, which coincides with the beginning of the recovery of economies, an increase in primary and final energy consumption can be observed again, after a sharp decrease in 2020, even below the level of the targets set for 2020. With regard to the targets assumed by the European Union for 2030, the consumption of primary and final energy is well above the predetermined values. And the conclusions show us with certainty, the need to make an additional effort in order to achieve them.