The Parliament on 7 June backed mandatory targets for savings in energy sold and distributed to final consumers, whether public or private.
The draft covers electricity, heat and fuel - including transport fuel - in an equal manner so that imbalances are not created between sectors in a European energy market gradually opening up to competition. It targets both the demand and the supply side of the energy market by creating incentives for reduction.
MEPs have voted for more ambitious targets than those initially planned by the Commission, proposing that a total of 11.5% savings be achieved between 2006 and 2015. The Commission had proposed an overall annual average target of 1% only - a 9% overall cut by 2015.
Following the Parliament's amendments to the draft, the savings MEPs back would be made in three stages:
- 2006-2009: 3% (annual average of 1%)
- 2009-2012: 4% (annual average of 1.3%)
- 2012-2015: 4.5% (annual average of 1.5%)
The targets voted on by the Parliament are slightly more demanding for the public sector than for ordinary consumers:
- 2006-2009: 4.5%
- 2009-2012: 5.5%
- 2012-2015: 6%
MEPs also recommended that energy savings be taken into consideration in the assessment of public tenders as a way to encourage companies to propose more energy-efficient services and products.
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