Among EU member states, Grand Duchy furthest from Europe 2020 target, occupying last position in 2016 results

Luxembourg is the least ‘green’ country in the European Union (EU) in terms of its share of renewable sources.

In its gross final consumption of energy, Luxembourg’s share of renewable sources amounts to 5.4% – significantly lower than the EU 16.7% average.

This places the Grand Duchy in last position among all EU member states for 2016 results, behind the Netherlands and Malta at 6%.

Sweden had the highest share, with more than half of its energy coming from renewable sources in its final consumption, scoring 53%, followed by Finland at 38.7% and Latvia at 37.2%.

The share of renewables in gross final consumption of energy is one of the headline indicators of the Europe 2020 strategy.

The EU’s target is to obtain 20% by 2020 and at least 27% by 2030.

Figures from the EU’s statistics office, Eurostat, show 11 member states have already achieved their 2020 targets.

Luxembourg’s target in two years’ time is 11%.

It and the UK are the two members furthest from meeting their targets.

Each member state is given its own target, which takes into account the country’s renewable energy potential and economic performance.

Sweden has a target of 49%, Finland 38% and Latvia 40%.

Luxembourg’s economy minister, Etienne Schneider, said on Friday the country was “on the right track” to achieve its 2020 target.

He highlighted the government council outlined an action plan in 2010 and claimed Luxembourg’s 2016 results were above the figures forecast in the document.

Schneider said the government’s efforts were proving positive, “in particular with regards to support for wind, solar and biomass energy”.

In October last year, Luxembourg signed a statistical transfer agreement with Lithuania in a bid to help the Grand Duchy achieve its national renewable energy objectives for 2020.

The Baltic state, which already reached its 2020 target of 23% in 2015 and scored 25.6% in 2016, will transfer a minimum of 700 Gigawatt hour (GWh) between 2018 and 2020 to help Luxembourg fulfil its national renewable energy target.

The agreement marked the first cooperation deal on the statistical tranfer of renewable energy amount between two EU member states.

It came following advice for the Renewable Energy directive, initiated by the European Comission, to allow members states with more cost-effective and greater potential in renewable energy to help other countries reach their national targets.