On 11 November 2010, the European Commission launched its communication on “Energy 2020 – A strategy for competitive, sustainable and secure energy”. The document defines the energy priorities for the next ten years and sets the actions to be taken. Five priorities have been identified:
achieving an energy efficient Europe;
building a pan-European integrated energy market;
empowering consumers and achieving the highest level of safety and security;
extending Europe’s leadership in energy technology and innovation;
strengthening the external dimension of the EU energy market.
Several main aspects are underlined in relation to the energy efficiency priority:
Energy efficiency is recognised as the most cost effective way to reduce emissions, improve energy security and competitiveness, make energy consumption more affordable for consumers as well as creating employment
Two priority sectors identified for special attention: existing building stock and transport
Action to accelerate energy-efficient renovation by investment incentives, innovative financial instruments, EU financial programmes
Action to widen ecodesign requirements for energy and resource-intensive products complemented by system level requirements where relevant – more extensive energy labelling should be introduced to ensure more comprehensive comparison between products
Action to maximise the potential of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plans – benchmarking on energy efficiency and monitoring progress (annual review mechanism)
First EU Energy Summit took place on 4 February 2011, aiming to signal that energy issues remained a top EU priority. The Council’s conclusions contain the following:
EU is not on track to meet its 20% energy efficiency goal, and further measures would be announced in the forthcoming Action Plan;
From 2012, all member states should apply efficiency standards when purchasing goods for public buildings and services (public procurement)
A review of the implementation of the EU energy efficiency target will be done by 2013
Upgrading Europe's energy grid infrastructure should be a priority (no EU member state should remain isolated from the European grid after 2015)
Member states underline need for national support schemes such as feed-in tariffs for renewable energy and will promote investment in renewables and "safe and sustainable low-carbon technologies"
Furthermore, on March 2011, the European Commission launced the Energy Efficiency Plan 2011 (see details in 'Energy Efficiency' chapter) together with "A Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050". The roadmap refers to the following main points:
EU domestic emissions reductions scenarios: 25% in 2020; 40% in 2030; 60% in 2040 and 80% or more in 2050
Electricity to play a central role in the low carbon economy – prospect of partially replacing fossil fuels in transport and heating
Solutions proposed for the building stock: shifting energy consumption towards low carbon electricity (including heat pumps and storage heaters) and renewable energy (solar heating, biogas, biomass), also through district heating – these would help protect consumers against raising fossil fuels prices and bringing significant health benefits
The next steps in relation to the overall EU energy strategy include:
Launch of an Energy Roadmap 2050 – 3rd quarter 2011
Communication on “Sustainable Construction” - Before end 2011
