Energiemix

Energiemix refers to the composition of an area’s energy supply by source within a defined period. It can describe the share of different energy sources in total final energy consumption or in electricity generation. Common sources include fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), nuclear power, and renewables (hydropower, wind, solar, bioenergy, geothermal). In heating and transport, the mix may emphasize biomass, district heating, electricity, and liquid fuels.

The mix is typically expressed as percentages and can be measured on a primary-energy basis (which accounts for conversion losses) or on an end-use basis. For electricity, the mix shows which plants feed the grid and is influenced by capacity, outages, and interconnections. Policy goals often aim to shift the energy mix toward lower-carbon sources, through expanding renewables, reducing reliance on coal, deploying nuclear or other low-emission technologies, and improving energy efficiency.

Intermittent renewables pose challenges for grid stability, requiring balancing measures such as energy storage, demand response, regional transmission networks, and flexible generation. The energy mix is thus linked to technology choices, market design, resource availability, and infrastructure.

Regional patterns vary widely. Some areas rely heavily on hydropower or nuclear, while others depend on fossil fuels or are rapidly increasing wind and solar capacity. The energy mix influences greenhouse gas emissions, energy security, and price development, and it serves as a key indicator in assessing decarbonization and resilience strategies.