Solar thermal magazine Plans to Reach Annual Energy Savings of 1.5% Fall Short of Credibility
Annual Energy Savings target of 1.5%,
Coalition identifies weaknesses in national implementation of the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive
Brussels, April 2014 – An analysis of the Member States’ plans for achieving 1.5% annual end-use energy savings highlights that most countries not only show low ambition but also fail to demonstrate credibly how the mandatory energy savings target will be reached, exposing them to infringement procedures and possible fines.
The Coalition for Energy Savings and its partners conducted the first analysis of Member States’ plans to achieve their 1.5% annual energy savings target. The target – one of the centrepieces of the 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive – should take the EU closer to its 20% energy savings target by 2020. Improving the EU energy efficiency will boost the economy, combat climate change and reduce dependency on energy imports.
Stefan Scheuer, Secretary General of the Coalition for Energy Savings said:
EU leaders rightly stressed the need to moderate energy demand as the first step to reduce the bloc’s energy dependency, which is exactly what the Energy Efficiency Directive should deliver. Yet most governments’ implementation plans, in particular those from central and eastern countries, are not ambitious and do not convince us that the minimum energy savings will be reached. It is time for Member States to walk the talk and ensure compliance to EU legislation.
Almost all countries use the maximum exemptions to lower the 1.5% annual end-use energy savings, which means that the average target in the EU is actually only 0.8%. In addition the majority of plans are weak and increase the risk for the EU to miss its 20% energy savings target for 2020. Only three plans, from Croatia, Denmark and Ireland, out of the 27 published and included in the analysis, provide a credible and meaningful case for how savings targets will be achieved. Twelve plans, including Finland, Germany, Sweden and all central and eastern EU countries except Croatia and Latvia, are either incomplete – and thus not assessable – or of low quality. Common problems are the incorrect calculation of the target, ineligibility of measures, and inclusions of energy savings that would have happened anyway.
The good news is the uptake of energy efficiency obligations schemes for the energy sector in a large number of Member States, which should help transform the market for energy efficiency.
A lot more needs to be done rapidly to ensure that commitments to energy efficiency are honoured and legal requirements are respected. Member States have further opportunities to improve their plans and turn them into action with their National Energy Efficiency Action Plans, due 30 April 2014, and when transposing the Directive into national laws, which must be completed by 5 June this year.
The Coalition for Energy Savings brings together business, professionals, local authorities, trade unions and civil society associations. The Coalition’s purpose is to make the case for a European energy policy that places a much greater, more meaningful emphasis on energy efficiency and savings. Coalition members represent more than 400 associations, 150 companies, 15 million supporters, more than 2 million employees, 1,000 cities and towns in 30 countries in Europe.
Source: https://energycoalition.eu/plans-reach-annual-15-energy-savings-fall-short-credibility-0
Tags: Annual Energy Savings
