Energy Council conclusions on Energy Efficiency Plan

A Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council meeting took place on 10 June 2011.

With this occasion, the Council adopted a series of conclusions in relation to the Energy Efficiency Plan, among which:

I. General Considerations

1. Improved energy efficiency throughout the whole energy system will make a major contribution to the EU's wider goals of a competitive low-carbon economy, a more sustainable use of natural resources and security of energy supply.

II. Priority sectors and measures 

10. Buildings

• Since buildings represent 40% of the EU's final energy consumption and given their long lifetime, it could be appropriate to envisage a longer-term perspective beyond 2020 for tackling energy performance of existing buildings in a cost-efficient way, leaving sufficient flexibility for Member States to take appropriate measures. Member States are also encouraged to consider measures aiming at improved refurbishment of residential buildings, following the principle of cost-efficiency
• Heating and cooling in buildings needs to be addressed, for example by promoting solutions such as district heating and cooling, including the use of waste heat and combined heat and power (CHP), and the use of renewable energy sources in the context of integrated urban planning
• To foster the appropriate skills and knowledge required of those involved in realising technically demanding energy-efficient building solutions (architects, engineers,
  auditors, craftsmen, technicians and installers), the Commission is invited to develop initiatives to support Member States in assessing training needs and developing strategies to meet them

11. Industry and energy sector

• Furthermore, on the energy supply side, when appropriate, taking into account costbenefit analysis and technical feasibility, greater use of co-generation and district heating and cooling should be pushed for when authorising new and the retrofitting of existing thermal power generation where there is sufficient expected demand, and by combining district heating systems with electricity generation as much as possible. CHP should be promoted taking into account specific needs for heating and the role of energy from renewable sources.

Source: Council of the European Union