The European Commission plans to strengthen requirements for Member States to renovate buildings and save energy, according to a draft proposal for a revision of the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive (2018/2002), due on 14 July.
Unveiled by some media, including EUROPE, on 5 July (see EUROPE 12755/2), this document foresees increasing the annual energy saving obligation to 1.5% for all Member States between 2024 and 2030, compared to 0.8% currently. In addition, Cyprus and Malta, for which the rate had been set at 0.24%, would cease to receive preferential treatment.
The renovation obligation would then be applied to all public bodies, all levels of administration (not just ministerial buildings) and all sectors of activity of public bodies, including health care, education and public housing, with the renovation rate remaining “at least at 3%”, says the draft proposal.
The Commission also appears to be considering an obligation for the public sector to reduce energy consumption in public services and organisations such as public transport and buildings, land use planning, water and waste management, etc.
Energy audits
Another important point in the text is that energy audits would become mandatory. Like energy management systems, they would no longer be based on the type of business, but on energy consumption levels.
Thus, every four years, companies “with an average annual consumption higher than 100TJ of energy over the previous three years” should implement “an energy management system” certified by an independent body in accordance with applicable European or international standards.
Those with an average annual energy consumption of more than 10 TJ over the previous three years and which do not implement such a system should be subject to an energy audit.
See the draft proposal: https://bit.ly/3hiibzX (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)