The European Commission’s public consultation on the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) is now closed. Its revision must ensure the realisation of the EU’s full cost-effective savings potential, taking into account the multiple benefits of energy efficiency and the 2050 decarbonisation target. More realistic discount rates need to be applied and a separate target for building efficiency should be set.
Although energy efficiency has become the EU’s first fuel source, many governments still see it as a burden rather than a largely profitable investment in the future of our societies. PU Europe calls for the full implementation of the Energy Efficiency First principle, as outlined in the Commission’s Energy Union papers.
Oliver Loebel, Managing Director of PU Europe commented: "The Energy Efficiency First principle must guide all other energy-related European legislation. The revised EED should provide the overarching framework to make this happen. In this context, we welcome Climate Commissioner Cañete’s announcement that the Commission will model up to 40 % efficiency gains by 2030 in the forthcoming EED impact assessment. We are also optimistic that this assessment will apply more realistic discount rates to investments in building efficiency."
PU Europe supports the removal of the sunset clause regarding energy efficiency obligations and the extension of requirements for central government public procurement to all public authorities. The future wording of article 4 on national renovation strategies will be crucial. It must become far more stringent and set a specific energy savings target for the EU building stock.
"Buildings offer the largest readily available savings potential. Without achieving nearly zero energy demand for the EU’s building stock by 2050, we will be unable to meet our COP21 commitments", Loebel concluded.
To the PU Europe response to the EED consultation here