Geology and energy supplies: sources of energy and their availability

Europe's energy supply is highly dependent on imports. In 2000 approximately 45 per cent of the raw materials needed to supply energy were imported; according to the EU's Green Book this proportion will rise to about 63 per cent by 2030. As this happens the import dependence for oil will rise to almost 80 per cent, and for natural gas to approximately 70 per cent. The extraction of oil and natural gas from the North Sea will decline in the years to come, and the demand for natural gas is expected to rise steeply; among the reasons for this are the decision to phase out nuclear energy and the comparatively high level of emissions from coal-fired power stations. The combination of these factors will pose new challenges as Europe attempts to meet its growing energy needs.