Changes in Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity in EU Countries as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic by Sector and Area Economy

Abstract

Energy is vital for the proper functioning of the various sectors of the economy and social life. During the pandemic, there have been some changes in these aspects that need to be investigated. The main objective of this article is to identify the direction of change caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in energy consumption and energy intensity in sectors and economic areas in EU countries. The specific objectives are to identify the importance of energy consumption in sectors and areas of the economy in individual EU countries; to determine the dynamics of change and variability during the pandemic in energy consumption in individual sectors and areas of the economy in EU countries, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic; to determine the changes in energy intensity of individual economic sectors and the differences in energy intensity between individual EU countries, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a purposive selection method, all 27 EU Member States were selected for the study on 31 December 2020. The analysed period covered the years 2005–2020. The sources of material were literature and data from Eurostat. Descriptive, tabular and graphical methods, dynamic indicators with a fixed base and variable base, Gini coefficient, coefficient of variation, Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient, and multi-criteria analysis were used for analysis and presentation. It was found that the structure of energy consumption had remained unchanged for several years, with transport, industry and households dominating. There were no significant differences between countries. The COVID-19 pandemic reduced energy consumption in all sectors of the economy, the largest in transport and services and the smaller in industry. At the same time, household energy consumption increased. As a result of the pandemic, there was an increase in energy intensity in all sectors of the economy, the largest in industry. Western European countries had a lower energy intensity of the economy than Central and Eastern European countries. There was little change over several years. Countries generally maintained their ranking. The pandemic did not change anything in this respect, meaning that it had a similar impact on individual EU countries.