EU ministers adopt efficiency law, aim to save 9% by 2017

European Union energy ministers have formally committed to aim to save 9% of their energy use by 2017 by adopting the energy end-use efficiency and energy services directive Tuesday at the energy council in Brussels.

The directive was adopted without debate as the council, representing member state governments, had reached an informal agreement on the text with the European Parliament and the European Commission last December. All three institutions had to agree the text before the directive could become law.

The final text is a watered-down compromise--the EP had wanted member states to commit to a binding target of 11.5% over nine years, with separate, higher targets for the public sector. The EC originally proposed binding targets of 1%/year over six years, with 1.5% for the public sector. In the final agreed version, the targets are indicative (not binding) and the public sector must simply set a good example, and consider energy efficiency in the public procurement process.

The new law requires member states to submit over the nine years three detailed national energy efficiency actions plans to the EC for review. These plans must include intermediate targets and show how member states intend to reach them. The first action plan is due June 2007, and to be implemented from January 1, 2008, with a target for 2011. The second and third are due by June 2011 and June 2014 respectively.

The energy savings are to come from households, agriculture, commercial and public sectors, transport (excluding maritime and aviation) and industry (excluding the energy intensive industry and energy transformation sector already covered by the EU's emissions trading scheme).

In its green paper on energy efficiency last June the EC estimated that the EU could save 20% of its energy use by 2020 using cost-effective measures, and that half of this could come from simply implementing existing or planned EU laws, such as the energy performance of buildings, cogeneration and eco-design laws.

The EC is to propose an energy efficiency action plan after the public consultation on the green paper closes end-March.

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