This indicator shows final energy consumption that is defined as the sum of final energy consumption of all sectors – manufacturing and construction, transport and wider use, which includes household use, services and agriculture.

Final energy consumption is measured in thousand tonnes of oil equivalent (ktoe). The conversion from mass units is conducted using calorific values of individual types of fuel.

The indicator can be presented in relative (the relative contribution of a specific sector to total final energy consumption) or absolute terms. For absolute values, thousand tonnes of oil equivalent (ktoe) are used.

The trend in final energy consumption by sector provides a broad indication of progress made in reducing energy consumption and in implementing policies that influence energy efficiency. Final fossil energy consumption has a direct impact on emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. The reduction of final energy consumption is important both in the context of enhancing the security of energy supply and increasing the economy’s competitiveness as well as of reducing environmental impacts by reducing emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2008, final energy consumption amounted to 5333 ktoe, which is substantially more than in 2007 when it stood at 4954 ktoe. In the 1992-2008 period, final energy consumption increased by 60 %, whereby the majority of this growth took place by the year 1997. In 1998, final energy consumption decreased, especially due to lower sales of motor fuels to non-nationals. By the year 2000, annual growth stood at slightly over 1 %. In the 2000-2006 period, we recorded annual growth of slightly under 2 %. In 2007, final energy consumption decreased for the first time since 1998, but in 2008, growth was so high (almost 8 %) that this reduction is not evident in total consumption (average annual growth rate of 3.1 % in the 2007-2008 period).

The fastest growing sector was transport, where 143 % more energy was consumed in 2008 compared to 1992. The first peak was reached in 1997 due to fuel tourism. After corresponding measures were implemented by neighbouring countries, this consumption started to drop by 1999. In the 2000-2008 period, we recorded an average annual growth of 6.4 %. Energy consumption intensively grew in 2007 (12.8 %) and 2008 (17.3 %). In 2007, growth equalled the highest growth of the 1994-2008 period and in 2008, a new highest growth level was recorded. The high growth of total energy consumption in transport has resulted from increased ownership of private cars, a higher number of covered kilometres per vehicle and, since Slovenia's EU accession, the main reason for a higher consumption of liquid fuels is the increase in transit transport (Božičnik, 2006). In 2007, transport held the largest share in final energy consumption (37 %) and in 2008, it strengthened its lead holding a 40 % share. In 1992, transport was the third sector by share (Figure 1).

In 2008, total energy consumption of the other use sector was 124 % higher than in 1992. The largest increase happened in 1996, when consumption increased by 180 %. After a reduction in the 2005-2007 period, consumption again increased by slightly more than 30 % in 2008. This highly chequered trend is due to the manner in which energy consumption in this sector is determined. It is calculated as the difference between total final energy consumption and final energy consumption in the manufacturing and construction, transport and households sectors.

In 2007, following years of growth, energy consumption in manufacturing and construction decreased for the first time since 2002 (by slightly more than 5 %). This reduction continued in 2008 with an annual rate of slightly under 8 %. This reduction was due to a lower intensity of energy consumption, as added value increased. In 2008, consumption was 30 % higher than in 1992. With 29 %, manufacturing and construction held the second largest share in total final energy consumption.

After increasing since 1998, final energy consumption in households decreased in the 2004-2007 period. Another increase was again recorded in 2008. After slightly more than a 9 % reduction in 2007, consumption again increased by slightly more than 6 % in 2008. Looking at this two-year average, consumption decreased by a little less then 2 % annually. Compared to 1992, consumption was 10 % higher in 2008 and 1 % lower compared to the year 2000. The increase in final energy consumption is due to the purchase of liquid fuels being postponed from 2007 to 2008 due to growing prices and a colder year in 2008. A major uncertainty is the poor statistical monitoring of wood biomass consumption in households, as it has remained constant since 2002. This means that statistics do not record transitions between fossil fuels (especially fuel oil) and wood, which is undoubtedly strongly influenced by prices of liquid fuel.

In the future, the implementation of measures as determined by the Action Plan for Energy Efficiency will have to lead to reductions in final energy consumption, or the target share of renewable energy sources will not be achieved in 2020. These endeavours urgently need to be facilitated in the public sector and in buildings where there is still great potential to increase energy efficiency.

By comparing the structure of final energy consumption in Slovenia with that of the EU-15 average, it is clear that Slovenia had a larger share of manufacturing and transport and a smaller share of wider use (households and other use) in 2007.

Final energy consumption was influenced by a wide range of policies united under the umbrella name of measures for increasing energy efficiency. In Slovenia, these measures are determined by the Resolution on the National Energy Programme and due to their impact on greenhouse gas emissions also by the Operational Programme for Limiting Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2012. In 2008 (31 January), the first of three energy efficiency action plans was adopted in the framework of implementing the Directive on Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services (2006/32/EC). The action plan includes a package of measures aimed at achieving a more efficient use of energy in all sectors of final consumption, with emphasis on the public sector which needs to act as an example. Energy savings arising from the implementation of these measures in the 2008-2016 period are estimated at 4261 GWh. The mentioned directive requires actions to be undertaken by the Member States to achieve an energy savings target of 9 % for the ninth year of application of this Directive (from 1 January 2008). The target set by the Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (COM 2006(545)) and the Climate and Energy Package and which is to be met by 2020 foresees a 20 % reduction in energy consumption.