Primary energy is the total amount of energy contained in natural resources, such as coal, oil, natural gas, solar radiation or wind, before it undergoes any transformation, transport or distribution processes. It is the energy available in its primary, unprocessed form, which is the the basis for production final energy and utility.
Primary energy includes both renewable and non-renewable sources and is an important indicator of the environmental impact and energy efficiency of an economy. Its analysis makes it possible to assess how much natural resources need to be consumed to meet energy needs. It is of direct relevance to sustainable development strategies and energy policy.
