Energy end-use efficiency and energy services

On the basis of a Presidency Note, the Council held a policy debate on a proposal for a Directive on energy end-use efficiency and energy services (demand-side management). The Council agreed, by

decision taken at the beginning of its meeting, to hold this debate in public.

Following the Council's constructive exchange of views, the President drew the following conclusions under his sole responsibility:

1) Higher priority should be given to energy efficiency. Delegations support the goal of the proposal, which is very important both for the economy and the environment.

2) Delegations stressed that a flexible, unbureaucratic approach is needed, which should reflect national circumstances and take good account of existing initiatives. Exchange of experience is valuable. Consistency with the existing relevant legislative framework should be ensured.

3) It seems that a large number of delegations consider that a uniform 6-year target does not offer enough flexibility; more flexibility, e.g. through indicative national targets, is needed and national circumstances should be taken into account when evaluating the progress made, inter alia the energy savings already realised in the past. Progress in energy efficiency could be assessed on the occasion of yearly debates.

4) While noting that the public sector could play an important role in contributing to energy savings, it remains to be seen whether a specific and higher target for this sector would be the right means.

5) Views are divided whether obligations such as the provision of energy services or energy audits should be placed on suppliers; some consider that there should be a number of options for Member States to choose from, depending on national circumstances. Measures should be in line with internal market Directives.

6) Delegations agree that the system for the measurement of energy savings need to ensure reliable and comparable results in the different Member States.

7) This could possibly be achieved by looking at some combination of top-down (preferably from existing, macro statistics) with specific bottom-up figures (that are more detailed).

8) Taking the latest Presidency text as a starting point, it should be possible for the coming Presidency to bring this dossier to fruition.