Agreement reached on EU Energy Efficiency compromise

The final compromise text of the Energy Efficiency Directive, delivering 17% improved efficiency by 2020, instead of the intended 20%, will be presented to the EU Energy Council later today (June 15).


The measure, always a top priority issue for the Danish Presidency, received EU Member States’ endorsement yesterday. Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Buildings, Martin Lidegaard, welcomed the compromise agreement as ‘another big step towards a more sustainable energy future’. 

As the 17% improvement compromise is termed a ‘Minimum Directive’, it’s hoped that implementation in the coming years might still deliver closer to the original 20% efficiency goal. 

It’s estimated that the Directive will cost €24 billion a year until 2020 but that it will save companies and consumers €44 billion in reduced fuel expenditure and lower investments in energy generation and distribution. 

Energy secretary Ed Davey welcomed the compromise as ‘good for the UK and for the EU as a whole’. 

“It signals a step change in energy efficiency and for the first time sets legally binding energy saving targets which, at a time of economic challenge, will help improve the EU’s competitiveness and boost growth,” he said. 

“Our experience of our own energy efficiency policies has helped ensure that the Directive promotes practical and cost-effective action that will deliver real savings, and that it strikes the right balance between prescription and the flexibility necessary to allow for national circumstances and for innovative policy approaches.”

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