Nuclear energy accounted for the largest share (29%) of domestic energy generating capacity in the European Union in 2012.

It was followed by renewables (22%), solid fuels (21%), gas (17%) and oil (10%), with total production at 794 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe), according to figures released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU.

Inland energy consumption in the EU group of 28 countries stood at 1,670 Mtoe in 1990, rose to a peak of 1,830 Mtoe in 2006 and fell to 1,680 Mtoe in 2012 – an 8% drop between 2006 and 2012.

The energy dependence rate, which shows the extent a nation is dependent on energy imports, was 52% across the countries in 2012.

The five largest energy consumers in 2012 in the EU28 were Germany, France, UK, and Spain, with the dependence rate highest for Italy (81%), followed by Spain (73%), Germany (61%), France (48%) and the United Kingdom (42%).

However, the highest energy dependence rates across the 28 nations were registered in Malta (100%), Luxembourg and Cyprus (both 97%) and Ireland (85%).

The five main energy producers in 2012 were France, Germany, UK, Poland and the Netherlands which together accounted for 64% of total energy production in the EU28.