Brussels, 28/11/2005 (Agence Europe) - In adopting last Wednesday the report by German Social Democrat Mechtild Rothe on the proposal for a directive relative to energy efficiency in end-users and energy services, the Industry Commission (ITRE) reviewed downward ambitions to fix binding objectives in terms of energy savings and energy output at the stage of final consumption (EUROPE n° 8935), in reaching a decision for the sole objective of information, as requested by the Council (EUROPE n° 8979). However, the indicative targets accepted by MEPs remain more ambitious than the target fixed by the Council. Whereas the Council has fixed the global objective at 6% to be achieved six years after the directive is put into effect (or an average of 1% per year), the Industry Commission calls on Member States to realise their energy savings by way of 11,5% over 9 years. Moreover, the Rothe report envisages a series of extensive measures inciting states to meet these objectives, proposing, in particular, that Member States fix three national intermediate triennial objectives and adopt long-term action plans. Besides, if these measures prove insufficient, the European Commission would be entitled to demand of Member States concerned that they take supplementary measures to attain these objectives which would then become compulsory. In order for the public sector to set the example, MEPs are asking Member States to fix the information objectives reviewed upward, as the Council wants to abandon all reference for the private sector. For the parliamentary commission, the public sector must also develop and publish guidelines aimed at making energy efficiency a criterion for assessing the adjudication of public procurement markets. Moreover, as lack of information is often a major cause of non-utilisation of energy services, MEPs want to strengthen the right of the consumer to be informed of the possibilities to economise energy.
We recall that the purpose of this directive is to increase the economy of energy when energy is sold to end users, whether they be households or the public sector. The directive covers the distribution and sale of most types of energy provided to end clients and concerns the majority of end consumers of energy. Let us finally note that the Council and the Parliament remain in close consultation to reduce their differences and find common ground so that the directive may be adopted at second reading after the vote on the Rothe report in the plenary next January. Stumbling blocks are the objectives set, the contents and timing of the action plans (the Council requests two periods of 4 and then 5 years and not the three periods of 3 years requested by the Parliament), the consequences of failing to comply with the objectives fixed by a Member State and the role of the public sector.