Energy Indicators for Sustainable Development: Guidelines and Methodologies International Atomic Energy Agency United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs International Energy Agency Eurostat European Environment Agency

ECO11: Fuel shares in energy and electricity 
Brief Definition 
The structure of energy supply in terms of shares 
of energy fuels in total primary energy supply 
(TPES), total final consumption (TFC) and 
electricity generation and generating capacity 
Units 
Percentage 
Alternative Definitions 
None 
Agenda 21 
Chapter 4: Changing consumption and production 
patterns 
POLICY RELEVANCE 
(a) Purpose: This indicator provides the share of fuels in TPES, TFC and electricity 
generation and generating capacity. 
(b) Relevance to Sustainable Development: Regarding the economic dimension, the 
energy supply mix is a key determinant of energy security. Therefore, the ‘right’ 
energy mix for a particular country relies on a well-diversified portfolio of domestic 
and imported or regionally traded fuels and sources of energy. Also, the particular mix 
of fuels used in energy and electricity affects energy intensities. 
With respect to the environmental dimension, the energy supply mix has a major 
effect since the environmental impacts of each energy source differ greatly and 
include the following: (i) traditional local or regional atmospheric pollution related to 
the combustion of fossil fuels (e.g. urban smog, acid rain); (ii) global climate change 
related to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) generated by fossil fuel 
production, transport and use; (iii) land use for a range of energy activities, and 
notably for mining and for hydroelectric reservoirs; and (iv) risks attributed to various 
fuel chain cycles (fires, explosions, spills, radioactive emissions, etc.). 

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(c) International Conventions and Agreements: None. 
(d) International Targets/Recommended Standards: In some countries there is a 
target for the percentage of electricity from renewable sources. For example, in the 
European Union a directive sets the quantitative target of 21% for electricity from 
renewable energy by the year 2010, as well as indicative targets for each Member 
State.