European efforts to increase energy efficiency have so far primarily focused on measures to improve end-use efficiency, and the potential to reduce huge losses that occur in the production and delivery of power have largely been ignored.
Attention paid to improving so-called 'end-use' energy efficiency in the EU led to the introduction of energy labels for large electrical appliances and a progressive phase-out of energy-guzzling light bulbs.
With this legislation already in place, debate in Brussels is shifting away from consumer-driven measures towards new ways of encouraging governments and regions to address sustainability issues at source: so-called 'supply-side' efficiency.
The global energy system is incredibly wasteful. GE Energy estimates that from a total primary energy input for electricity production of 49,555 TWh, only 15,623 TWh of electricity was delivered to customers worldwide.
Examples of possible action include encouraging greener methods of power generation, support for renewable energies, and helping countries and regions to improve their existing infrastructure, for example by making coal power stations cleaner.
Regions will play a major role in changing the energy landscape of Europe, with sub-national actors set to determine the mix of fuels – such as oil, gas, coal or renewable energy – which will be necessary to contribute to energy security and sustainable economic growth.