EU hopes to reduce 20 percent energy consumption by 2020
BRUSSELS, Jun 22, 2005 -- Xinhua
The European Union (EU) should reduce its energy consumption by 20 percent by 2020 through more efficient technology, said the EU executive European Commission on Wednesday.
These savings would allow the EU to save an estimated 60 billion euros (about 73 billion dollars) on its energy bill. This will in turn represent investments in the EU economy where European industry can strengthen its lead.
"This energy efficiency initiative will help Europe achieve two fundamental goals of the Lisbon Strategy: creating more growth and better jobs," said Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs in a statement.
"It will also help Europe meet its Kyoto commitments," he added.
The Commission forecasts that the EU will be 90 percent reliant on imported oil and 80 percent dependent on gas imports by 2030. The energy efficiency would obviously help cut the 25-nation bloc' s dependency on oil.
A household could save up to 1,000 euros a year in electricity and heating bills by using energy saving lightbulbs, getting rid of old fridges and replacing boilers, according to the green paper.
Half of the 20 percent cut in energy use will come from the entry into force by 2007 of new EU laws making the design of buildings and household appliances more energy efficient.
EU governments must also implement new measures to reach the target. The Commission suggested reducing tax on cleaner cars and making public tenders subject to energy efficient criteria.
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