Energy end-use efficiency and energy services

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Mechtild ROTHE (PES, DE) with 582 votes in favour, 13 against with 18 abstentions. Parliament adopted 49 compromise amendments, which are the result of negotiations between the rapporteur, shadow rapporteurs and the Council. The compromise adopted asks Member States to save 9% of the energy supplied to end users in the nine years following the directive's entry into force.  Member States may set themselves a higher target.  The Council had been arguing for a 6% reduction over six years. The national energy savings in relation to the national indicative energy savings target will be measured as from 1 January 2008.  Member States will have to adopt three multi-annual Energy Efficiency Action Plans:

-For the purpose of the first Energy Efficiency Action Plan (EEAP) to be submitted, Member States must establish an intermediate national indicative energy savings target for the third year of application of the Directive, and an overview of its strategy on the achievement of the intermediate and overall targets. The Commission will give an opinion on whether the intermediate national indicative target appears realistic and consistent with the overall target. The first EEAP must be submitted to the Commission no later than 30 June 2007.

-Not later than 30 June 2011 Member States must submit a second EEAP, and the third one must be submitted not later than 30 June 2014.  All EEAPs must describe the energy efficiency measures planned to reach the targets set out, as well as to meet the provisions on the exemplary role of the public sector and provision of information and advice to final customers set out in the legislation. The second and third EEAPs must include a thorough analysis and evaluation of the preceding plan, include the final results with regard to the fulfilment of the energy savings targets set out, and plans for - and anticipated effects of - additional measures which address any existing or expected shortfall of the target.

-Member States must facilitate and enable an exchange of best practices between public sector bodies, for example on energy-efficient public procurement practices, both at the national and international level.

-Member States will have a period of two years to transpose the directive into national law with the exception of the first EEAP which has to be submitted by 30 June 2007 and which will be reviewed by the Commission before 1 January 2008. The EEAPs will be assessed in accordance with the prescribed procedure. The second EEAP shall be reviewed before 1 January 2012. The third EEAP shall be reviewed before 1 January 2015.

-By 30 June 2008, the Commission shall develop a set of harmonised energy efficiency indicators and benchmarks based upon them, taking into account available data or data that can be collected in a cost-effective manner for each Member State.

-Not later than 2 years after the date of entry into force of the Directive, the Commission shall publish a cost-benefit impact assessment examining the linkages between EU standards, regulations,

policies and measures on end-use energy efficiency.

Finally, the public sector must set an example.  Member States are invited to develop guidance aiming to include energy efficiency as a criterion for public procurement processes.  More information will be provided to consumers on energy end use efficiency and they will receive detailed and regular statements on their energy consumption.