Difference between 'in the whole of Europe' and 'in Europe as a whole'

What if I compare the two 'Germany' and 'Europe' in a paragraph but not in a sentence. I would like to write a sentece about Europe in that paragraph.

Should I write: "Nuclear energy was the main fuel for electricity in the whole of Europe " or "... in Europe as a whole" or simply "... in Europe"?"

In another question (Expression 'Europe as a whole' or only 'Europe'?) I was told to use 'Europe as a whole' if I compare Germany and Europe within one sentence. But what shall I do in this case?

Update: Hi, I just have a follow up question: Do I have to say 'In Europe as a whole, nuclear energy was the main source...' or 'For Europe as a whole, nuclear energy was the main source ...' I'd really appreciate any comment and your help.

Solution 1:

Both formulations are relatively imprecise, and could be interpreted in different ways, but in the whole of Europe would most likely be understood to mean throughout Europe. Using that wording in the OP's example would imply that nuclear energy was the main source of electricity in every, or almost every, region (part) of Europe. Using in Europe as a whole, on the other hand, would most likely be understood to mean that the largest percentage of Europe's total electricity production comes from nuclear energy, which is something different.

To see the difference, one should imagine a scenario in which a few countries, concentrated in one part of Europe, produce (and/or consume), say 70%, of the continent's total electricity, with 80% of it (i.e. 56% of the continent's total) coming from nuclear energy, while the many countries spread through the rest of the continent do not use nuclear energy at all. In that hypothetical case it would be true that nuclear energy is the main source of electricity in Europe as a whole, but false that it is its main source in the whole of Europe.

Incidentally it is somewhat awkward to say that nuclear energy was the main fuel for electricity; it would be better to say that it was its main source. Fuel normally stands for the stuff that embodies energy, rather than for energy itself.