The line graph illustrates how much renewable energy is made up of the total energy usage in six nations – Finland, Denmark, France, Germany, the US, and the UK – between 1971 and 2011. Overall, all given countries became more dependent on renewable energy, with the US representing by far the fastest growth. Despite the changes, Finland remained predominant throughout the period, heavily relying on renewable energy.
Finland began with the highest percentage of renewable energy usage of the total in 1971, at 24%. Experiencing major fluctuations until 1988, the figure rose, finishing at just below its initial level.
An identical pattern could be observed in Denmark and France, albeit at a relatively lower rate. Their respective percentages of renewable energy usage commenced at nearly 15% and 8%, were accompanied by oscillations until 1993, and eventually grew by 2% and 6%, respectively. The upward trends notwithstanding, both were finally overtaken by the US, with the proportion of renewable energy usage increasing from an initial 3% to an ultimate 19%.
Notably, the use of renewable energy was comprised of a negligible proportion of the total in Germany and the UK. The former hovered at around 5% and increased substantially to 13%, whereas the latter witnessed a less considerable rise, consequently finishing at a mere 6%.