14 September 2010: The European Environment Agency (EEA) has launched a database collecting figures derived from available National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs) produced by EU member States, with a view to facilitating comparison of data across renewable energy technologies and between the EU member States.

The NREAPs outline how EU member States expect to meet their target of obtaining 20% of their energy from renewable sources by 2020, including the technology mix they intend to use and the trajectory they will follow. The preliminary findings arising from the database include that: electricity will make up 45% of total renewable energy production, with wind power supplying 41% of renewable electricity; 43% of all renewable energy production will be used for heating and cooling, with biomass accounting for 80% of renewable heating and cooling output; and transport will make up the smallest proportion of renewable energy production (12%), but is expected to be the fastest growing element between 2005 and 2020. [EEA Press Release]