Is the proposed energy efficiency directive counterproductive?

The topic of renewable energy is not only about wind, water and sun, but also about efficiency - it’s actually easier to use ‘leftover’ power than to generate more. A recently proposed European commission directive on energy efficiency is being criticised as well as lauded - strangely, though, by the same people.

»Another missed opportunity to improve Europe’s energy efficiency«, the European Building Automation and Controls Association (eu.bac) calls the proposed Directive on Energy Efficiency (COM(2011) 370 final), while welcoming its adoption by the European Commission in the same sentence.
eu.bac regrets the proposed merger of directives 2006/32/EC and 2004/8/EC into a single directive. »We are not convinced by this merger. Interestingly, the most effective instruments are the ones that either clearly focus on the demand side or on the supply side.«” said Jean-Yves Blanc, the association’s president. He added that »the proposed Directive will only put at risk the urgent need to focus on energy efficiency at the end-user level«.

 (Jean-Yves Blanc)

The association also regrets the lesser roles given to both Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) and to Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) compared with Directive 2006/32/EC. Via the European Association of Energy Service Companies (eu.ESCO), eu.bac tries to accelerate the deployment of EPC in the European Union. »Only when the public sector supports and utilises EPC itself does the market grow. This opportunity has clearly been missed by the proposed Directive« said Scott Petersen, eu.ESCO chairman.

 (Scott Petersen)

»Building automation and controls as energy efficiency enablers, both in the non-residential sector and in the residential sector, are as well not acknowledged by the proposed Directive« added Dr. Peter Hug (eu.bac Managing Director).

 (Dr. Peter Hug)

The proposed directive clearly contrasts with the recent Council conclusion (10-06-2011) concerning the Energy Efficiency Plan, in which it is stated that »Cost-effective ways to finance investments in energy efficiency measures through savings from lower utility bills and maintenance costs such as energy performance contracting should be promoted by introducing provisions to facilitate its deployment in Member States, taking due account of existing national law« and that »the role of Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and other providers of energy efficiency improvement measures needs to be strengthened«.

Comments

[HTC Incredible Repair]

Energy efficiency has been too long and remains the elephant in the GHG abatement room. Energy savings can cut emissions immediately and significantly, while inducing behavioural changes will take longer. Surely the EU ETS can still function in a scenario of higher efficiency. This feud over the Energy Efficiency Directive also illustrates a disappointing divergence between DG Energy and DG Climate. The EU ETS is organisationally DG Climate's baby, and a central pillar of Europe's climate change policy. Not surprisingly, DG Energy drafted the Energy Efficiency Directive.