Back
About Us
About Us
Resources
Policy Focus
Electricity
In brief
The cement industry is an energy-intensive sector that relies on both electrical and thermal energy. Thermal energy is provided by fossil fuels and alternative fuels, with the alternative fuel rate in the EU27 cement industry reaching 56% in 2023. The ambition in the updated Cement Europe 2050 Net Zero Roadmap is to reach 60% by 2030 and 95% by 2050. (See our section on co-processing for more information.)
Electrical energy is supplied by power producers, and as renewable generation expands, the indirect emissions from electricity use in the cement industry continue to fall. However, the transition to net zero will require at least a doubling of electricity consumption, driven by electrified processes, carbon capture and new technologies. Access to large volumes of affordable, zero-carbon electricity will therefore be critical for the decarbonisation of the sector.
Our view
Europe’s energy transition must deliver both decarbonisation and competitiveness. With electricity demand expected to rise sharply, getting the parameters of the European energy market right is essential. Market design, permitting and grid infrastructure will all play a pivotal role in ensuring the cement industry can access renewable electricity at competitive prices.
Energy Efficiency
The clinker process is already highly energy-efficient. A significant share of waste heat is recovered to dry raw materials and fuels in integrated grinding mills, and further efficiency gains continue through innovation and optimisation.
According to the European Cement Research Academy’s (ECRA) report “Evaluation of the energy performance of cement kilns in the context of co-processing,” the energy efficiency of cement kilns ranges between 70% and 80%, depending on raw-material moisture content.
This high efficiency, combined with increased use of alternative fuels and renewable electricity, has made the cement industry a success story in reducing both its costs and its carbon footprint — showing that efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand.
