Directive on Energy Efficiency and Energy Services adopted

Publication date: 14 March 2006

The Energy Council adopted today a directive on energy efficiency and energy services and repealing directive 93/76/EEC, approving all of the amendments voted by the European Parliament in second reading.

The aim of the directive is to enhance the cost-effective improvement of energy end-use efficiency in the member states by providing indicative energy savings targets of 9% for the ninth year of its application and by creating the conditions for the development and promotion of a market for energy services and for the delivery of other energy efficiency improvement measures to final consumers.

To achieve this objective, member states must prepare three national energy efficiency action plans and ensure that the public sector fulfils an exemplary role regarding investments, maintenance and other expenditure on energy-using equipment as well as energy services. The directive also requires improved consumer information and better metering and billing of energy consumption.

Following entry into force of the directive, member states will have two years in which to comply with its provisions, with the exception of the first energy efficiency action plan which must be submitted no later than 30 June 2007.

The EU Council of Energy Ministers on 14 March formally adopted, without debate, the Directive on energy efficiency and energy services, which the European Paliament had passed on second reading on 13 December 2005. The new legislation calls for energy savings of at least 1% per year for the next nine years  (relative to the reference scenarios) and for national action plans to be drawn up. Also included in the Directive are methods to be used to assess the amount energy saved.

Related News Item:
- MEPs back key targets for energy efficiency (13 December 2005)