A methodology for analysing changes in Total Primary Energy Consumption (TPC) and the ratio of Total Primary to Total Final Energy Consumption (TFC) is presented using the principles of factor analysis, It allows us to separate influences of trade with transformation products, changes in structure of energy carriers, and changes in transformation structure and efficiency, The approach is applied to analyse West Germany＇s recent TPC changes and as a means to compare trends in TPC/TFC across a set of European countries, It therefore adds to the interpretation of widely used indicators such as primary and final energy intensity, Amongst others, the global influence of electricity and natural gas penetration, nuclear and CHP programmes on TPC are consistently quantified and compared along with the import or export effects of transformation products, An evaluation of actual trends and the policy elements behind is therefore made possible.