25 July 2014
EC Proposes 30% Energy Saving Target for 2030
story highlights

A communication from the European Commission (EC) proposing a new energy saving target of 30% for 2030 calls for energy efficiency to become an integral part of the EU's policy framework for climate and energy from 2020 to 2030.

The communication also reviews progress towards the EU's 20% energy efficiency target for 2020.

European Union 23 July 2014: A communication from the European Commission (EC) proposing a new energy saving target of 30% for 2030 calls for energy efficiency to become an integral part of the EU’s policy framework for climate and energy from 2020 to 2030. The communication also reviews progress towards the EU’s 20% energy efficiency target for 2020.

The communication, titled ‘Energy Efficiency and its contribution to energy security and the 2030 Framework for climate and energy policy,’ constitutes the Commission’s proposal for the EU’s 2030 energy saving target and provides an assessment on the likelihood of reaching the 2020 target. It is intended to inform Heads of State or Government on the EU’s new climate and energy policy framework, which is expected to be adopted by the European Council in October 2014.

On progress on the 2020 target, the communication notes that the EU has succeeded in decoupling economic growth from energy consumption. In addition, based on an analysis of member States’ actions and additional forecasts, the EU is expected to reach savings of around 18-19% in 2020. The communication further notes that, if all member States implement existing legislation, the 20% target will be met without additional measures.

The communication indicates that only five member States have declared full transposition in national legislations of the Energy Efficiency Directive, the centrepiece of the EU legislative framework for achieving the 2020 target. Also, nine member States have not fully transposed a related Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The communication also calls on member States to accelerate efforts for collective achievement of the 2020 target, and highlights that substantial EU funds are available for implementing energy efficiency measures through 2020.

Regarding the proposed 2030 energy efficiency target, the communication notes related benefits: security of energy supply; economic growth and job creation through investments in new technologies; and energy bills that are €53 billion lower per year by 2030. A 30% savings target, equal to not consuming more than 1,307 Mtoe in 2030, is estimated to require €89 billion in additional annual investments, primarily from private sources. [EU Press Release] [European Commission Memo] [Communication on Energy Efficiency and its Contribution to Energy Security and the 2030 Framework for Climate and Energy Policy] [EU Energy Efficiency Directive Website] [EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive]

related posts