Electricity and gas distribution sectors: rational planning techniques

The Committee endorses the Commission's objective of reducing CO2 emissions. Gas and electricity undertakings shall contribute to the achievement of this objective by taking economic initiatives to improve customers' energy use efficiency. The Committee would only support the Commission text if it incorporated the following amendments: - the action will be implemented at Member State level. The proposal should reflect the different structures in the Member States and the steps taken towards market liberalization. The purpose of the Directive is to provide the framework for implementation; - it is necessary to look beyond the objective of stabilizing CO2 emissions at their 1990 level by the year 2000. It is also important to improve end-use energy efficiency through the application of rational planning techniques (the term preferred by the ESC) to the supply and distribution functions. Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) is a US term applied to demand management and is not regarded as appropriate for the EU; - small-scale decentralized (localized) CHP/co-generation has an important role to play in demand management as it can improve end-use energy efficiency; - the distribution and supply functions should be differentiated.�