Brussels, 24/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - European Energy Commissioner Loyola de Palacio is expected to present to the College of Commissioners on Wednesday a proposal of directive on energy saving in buildings. Energy consumed in housing and construction accounts for 40% of total energy consumption in the EU. The proposal may, however, be withdrawn from the Commission's agenda because of the differences between Commissioners over application of the principle of subsidiarity in this sector.
Commissioner de Palacio had announced the proposal of directive in the context of the action plan for improving energy efficiency, adopted by the Commission one year ago (see EUROPE of 28 April, p.8), then in the Green Paper on energy supplies in Europe last November (see EUROPE of 30 November, p.5). The aim is to reduce energy consumption in new and renovated buildings through four kinds of actions: 1) establish a common methodology for the calculation of energy efficiency in buildings, taking various factors into account: insulation, heating installations, ventilation, lighting, the way the building is orientated, etc.; 2) draw up minimum energy efficiency standards for new and renovated buildings and certain large old buildings (over 1,500 m2); 3) set in place a certification system and ensure these certificates are brought to public notice on billboards. This certificate, valid for five years, should allow tenants to take energy consumption into account before signing leases, state the Commission's services for energy; 4) and ensure the control and evaluation of boilers and heating and cooling installations.
According to the data contained in the draft communication, energy consumption in buildings amounted to 930 million tonnes of oil equivalent (tep) in 1997 within the EU, and concerned heating (57%), hot water (25%), lighting and electrical appliances (11%).