"Energy efficiency is not an alternative to energy security; it is a vital component in achieving it," argues the Energy Efficiency Industrial Forum in a September position paper. It warns that EU energy imports are predicted to rise from 50% of overall consumption to 70% within the next two decades, making its economy increasingly vulnerable to the strategies of its suppliers.
There are concerns in particular about the EU's reliance on Russia's state-owned energy firm Gazprom, which supplies an increasing share of the bloc's gas needs and is making inroads into its national energy markets (EurActiv 30/01/08).
The Forum recommends that the Commission adopt a mandatory measurable savings target for energy efficiency of 20% of primary energy by 2020. This would come on top of the binding 20% targets for CO2 reduction and renewable energy use proposed in its 23 January climate and energy package. The call for binding measures is widely shared by green groups.
The companies also urge the Commission to establish "co-ordinated Investment and Incentives Initiative for improving energy efficiency across all sectors" and to make a strong commitment to full and timely implementation of existing and future legislation for the sector.
"The energy efficiency sector is determined to shape the debate over how best to secure the future of Europe's energy, both in the run-up to 2020 and beyond," states the Forum, which laments that while the Parliament has supported the inclusion of greater role for energy efficiency in the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan), the member states have largely ignored the potential of energy efficiency to deliver savings.
EU member states have also been criticised for being severely behind in implementing energy efficiency legislation, particularly in the buildings sector (EurActiv 07/12/07).
