Energy consumption in the European Union’s services sector rose modestly in 2024, reaching 4,971 petajoules (PJ), according to recent data. This represents a 1.7% increase

compared with 2023, when consumption stood at 4,886 PJ. Over the longer term, energy use in the sector has grown by about 25% since 1990.

Despite this increase, services remain a relatively smaller energy user within the bloc’s overall consumption profile. In 2024, the sector accounted for 13.5% of total final energy use in the EU, significantly below transport (32.3%), households (26.0%), and industry (24.5%). Only agriculture, forestry, and fishing registered a lower share, at 3.6%.

Electricity dominates energy mix

Electricity remained the dominant energy source in the services sector, making up 52.0% of total consumption in 2024. Natural gas followed at 25.4%, together accounting for more than three-quarters of the sector’s energy demand.

Other energy sources played smaller roles. Renewables and biofuels represented 8.7%, while heat accounted for 7.7%. Oil and petroleum products made up 5.6%, and the remaining 0.6% came from other sources such as coal and waste.

Retail and health services lead consumption

Within the services economy, wholesale and retail trade was the largest energy consumer in 2024, using 1,021 PJ, or 21.2% of total services-sector energy demand.

It was followed closely by human health and social work activities at 506 PJ (10.5%), and accommodation and food services at 503 PJ (also 10.5%). Professional, scientific, technical, and other services accounted for 492 PJ, or 10.2%.

The data highlights how energy demand within services is concentrated in consumer-facing and labour-intensive activities, particularly retail and public services, even as the sector’s overall share of EU energy use remains comparatively moderate. Photo by Bidgee