Trends and drivers of change in the EU energy sector: Scenarios

The energy sector in the EU25 employs more than one million people and generates a turnover reaching €535 billion a year, thereby contributing significantly to the European economy (Eurostat, 2007). Moreover, the energy sector is fundamental for most other sectors and hence can be defined as a key sector to economic growth and social and territorial cohesion. This report explores four possible future scenarios of the European energy sector and their consequences for the structure and workings of the sector within the next 30 to 50 years. Special attention will be paid to issues such as changes in skills needs and labour demands, location patterns, R&D investments and the role of renewable and alternative energy sources.