Brussels, 23/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - Although the revised draft directive on the energy performance of buildings, which was proposed by the European Commission in 2008, did not include a cut-off date for "zero energy" buildings, the European Parliament has shown more ambition, by adopting, by 549 votes in favour, 31 against and 26 abstentions, in Strasbourg on Thursday 23 April, the report by the Romanian Silvia-Adriana Ticãu (PES), which calls on the member states to ensure that all new buildings constructed after 1 January 2019 produce at least as much energy as they consume, by means of solar panels or heat pumps, for example. The Parliament also calls on the member states to lay down interim national objectives for buildings already constructed, in other words to set minimum percentages of buildings whose energy consumption must be zero by 2015 or 2020. Between now and the end of 2010, the Commission is to propose a precise definition of buildings consuming zero primary energy.
The Ticãu report brings into the draft text new provisions calling on the member states to adopt by 30 June 2011 national plans instituting instruments to improve the efficiency of buildings, such as loans at reduced rates, or tax reductions, and provisions obliging energy providers to grant financial assistance to consumers. The Parliament also asks the Commission to propose, by 30 June 2010, additional financial instruments, aiming to: - increase the proportion of ERDF funds available for energy efficiency measures; - establish, by 2014, a European energy efficiency fund, paid for by the budget of the EU, the EIB and the member states, to promote public and private instruments in projects aiming to improve the efficiency of buildings; - cut VAT on goods and services relating to energy efficiency and renewable energy.
In the case of buildings already erected, the Parliament is calling that in the event of major renovations (defined as work affecting more than 25% of the surface area of the building or involving a total cost in excess of 20% of the value of the building) or the replacement of elements such as framework, heating or air conditioning systems, the buildings must be brought at least into line with the minimum energy efficiency standards for these elements. According to the initial text, the minimum energy efficiency standards would be set by the member states, but under the amended version, the Commission would nonetheless have to establish common methodology to calculate the efficiency of the buildings before the end of March 2010.
The Parliament also wishes the member states to lay down minimum energy efficiency standards for residential buildings used less than four months of the year (holiday residences). However, the following will be excluded from the scope of application of the revised directive: small houses (with surface area below 50m2), places of worship, temporary buildings used less for than 18 months, agricultural stores and buildings consuming little energy and protected historical buildings, which would be unacceptably affected by measures to improve energy efficiency. Lastly, the Parliament calls for smart meters to be installed in all new buildings or buildings undergoing major renovations. (E.H./transl.fl)