The EU Commission welcomes the provisional agreement reached this morning, March 10, 2023, with the European Parliament and the Council to reform and strengthen the EU Energy Efficiency Directive. This deal marks a further step in the completion of the ‘Fit for 55’ package to deliver the European Green Deal and the REPowerEU Plan. It shows once again the EU’s determination to become climate neutral by 2050.
The agreement establishes an EU energy efficiency target of 11.7 % for 2030, exceeding the Commission’s original ‘Fit for 55’ proposal.
For the first time, the energy efficiency first principle is given legal strength with a clear requirement for EU countries to take energy efficiency into consideration in policy, planning and major investment decisions in the energy sector and beyond.
The revised rules also give a greater responsibility to the public sector to increase energy efficiency. Companies will also be encouraged to be more energy-efficient.
By introducing a first-ever EU definition for energy poverty, the revised rules put a stronger focus on alleviating energy poverty and empowering consumers, including the creation of one-stop-shops for, technical and financial assistance and out-of-court mechanisms for the settlement of disputes.
A press release is available online.