Tag: energy efficiency

The Commission on 22 June put forward a series of ideas for discussion that it says could save Europe some 20% in energy consumption by 2020 and slash its energy bill by 60 billion euros every year.

In an exclusive interview with EurActiv, Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs discusses the problems facing the EU in terms of diminishing oil reserves, rising energy prices and the viability of the nuclear option.

A draft directive aimed at increasing energy savings for the retail, supply and distribution of electricity and natural gas to end-users has made its way through the Parliament's Industry Committee.

Energy savings for household electric products are on their way after Parliament gave its go-ahead to a compromise agreement with the Council on the eco-design directive. Self-regulatory measures by industry will be given priority.

Two new Commission reports highlight the need to strengthen eco-innovations and resources efficiency in order to make the EU the most competitive knowledge economy in the world.

In its general approach to the proposals on the security of electricity supply, the Energy Council has reduced the Commission's power in decisions on infrastructure investments.

The Dutch Presidency has told MEPs that electricity infrastructure will top its six-month agenda, thereby leaving no time for the draft energy efficiency directive.

A new report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) concludes that more efforts must be undertaken to achieve a real decoupling of energy consumption and economic growth.

The controversial legislative package on security of energy supply was adopted by the Commission on 10 December.

The European Parliament will have a first reading of the proposed directive on the energy efficiency of buildings on Monday 4 February.