EU targets 20% energy efficiency boost by 2020

New binding measures to boost energy efficiency in the EU are to enter into legal force on December 4, 20 days after the new energy efficiency directive was published in the EU Official Journal. EU has a target to boost energy efficiency by 20% by 2020 and binding measures set out in the directive seek to ensure that national governments meet the target. Governments have until June 5, 2014 to transpose the directive into national law and comply with the directive. The directive "lays down rules designed to remove barriers in the energy market and overcome market failures that impede efficiency in the supply and use of energy, and provides for the establishment of indicative national energy efficiency targets for 2020," the text in the Official Journal states. It requires national governments to set indicative national energy efficiency targets. The EC will monitor their progress on meeting these and report back in June 2014 on whether further binding measures are needed. The document repeals the Cogeneration Directive and the Energy Services Directive, and extends to all sectors with energy savings potential. Some of the proposed measures in the document are related to new requirements for energy companies - to reduce energy sales by 1.5% every year among their customers via improved heating systems, fitting double-glazed windows or insulating roofs. The public sector has to ensure the renovation of 3% of buildings that it owns or occupies after July 2015. Also, every member state is required to prepare a roadmap to make the commercial, public and households' buildings more energy efficient by 2050. Also, energy audits and management plans are required for large companies. Every member state has to present its national indicative targets by April 2013. Then the European Commission will evaluate them and if they are insufficient to meet the overall EU target for 2020, re-assessments of the plans may be required. In the first half of 2014 the EC will review the process and will prepare further measures if needed. If Europe is still behind targets, the EC may propose additional legislative measures. EU Official Journal