Energy savings in buildings play a key role in European recovery
The EU is using its recovery plan not only to create jobs and growth, but also to speed up the shift towards a low carbon economy. But is it at all possible to combine growth with low carbon goals? And what is the role of energy savings in buildings?
How does the EU recovery plan address the need for energy savings in buildings?
According to the European recovery plan, Member States should now devote a greater share of their structural funds programmes to energy-efficiency investments, what is the implication of this?
Stina Soewarta: All EU Member States and regions will now be able to get EU regional development funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy investments in housing. In each Member State, spending on energy efficiency improvements and the use of renewable energy in housing will be eligible for European Regional Development Fund support, up to a ceiling of 4% of the Member State's total ERDF allocation.
The categories of housing eligible under national rules will be decided by each Member State.
What role does making energy savings in buildings play in European financial recovery?
Stina Soewarta: The recovery plan urges EU Member States to set demanding targets for ensuring that buildings meet the highest European energy efficiency standards and that they are subject to energy certification on a regular basis. According to the plan, Member States could also consider introducing a reduction of property tax for buildings with a good energy performance.
Some 40% of Europe’s energy is used in buildings and the enormous potential for energy savings in buildings is fully documented. Therefore such savings play an extremely important role in achieving a low carbon society and in the EU recovery plan.
In addition, undertaking energy saving renovations of existing buildings has great job creation potential.
How can the EU become a low carbon society simply by implementing a job creation plan?
Stin
But, of course, a low carbon society does not happen overnight.
The foundation for pursuing a low carbon economy has been laid over the past five years with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Energy End-use and Energy Services Directive, now other initiatives are also ready to take off.
For instance, the third Internal Energy Market package will require the implementation of intelligent metering systems with a target of 80% of consumers to be covered by 2020, as opposed to around 10% today. Smart meters will allow consumers to be precisely informed of their usage thereby promoting energy efficiency.
Another area primed for progress is the de-carbonisation of the energy system to make the supply of electricity CO2free by 2050. Wind power and other sustainable energy sources are important measures in addressing this challenge.
To reach our goal, we also need buildings to play their part. We must develop buildings that are able to produce and absorb energy, and work as a buffer for the electricity network.
How will the recovery plan support the development of clean technologies in the construction industry?
Stina Soewarta: The construction industry is one of the sectors in which the Commission will promote public-private partnerships to strengthen innovation.
The purpose is to create jobs and to promote green technologies with the development of energy efficient systems and materials for new and renovated buildings. The result will be buildings with radically reduced energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
