Energy efficiency
MEPs and governments at standoff over energy efficiency
Mandate of Bulgarian presidency unclear after government changes in Italy and Spain.
Decision time for EU’s 2030 clean energy laws
EU negotiators were meeting once again this week for potentially final "trilogue" talks on two crucial energy files on renewable energy and energy efficiency. Follow our liveblog for the latest developments, as well as to catch up on what has happened so far.
EU strikes deal on 32% renewable energy target and palm oil ban after all-night session
Talks on renewable energy policy in Europe reached un unexpected breakthrough early this morning after negotiators from the European Parliament and EU member states were able to reach a compromise on a 32% headline objective and a complete phase out of palm oil use in transport by 2030.
Video highlights: Spain and Italy may stoke clean energy shakeup today
The degree to which member state positions on the EU’s clean energy package have shifted was on display on Monday (11 June) when energy ministers met for a council meeting in Luxembourg. EURACTIV brings you a video compilation from the public debate.
Germany pours cold water on EU’s clean energy ambitions
Voters across Europe have lost faith in politics partly because of “unachievable targets” on renewable energy, said German Energy Minister Peter Altmaier, who rejected calls from a group of other EU countries to boost the share of renewables to 33-35% of the bloc’s energy mix by 2030.
InvestEU must make a serious dent in the EU’s energy efficiency investment gap
Unlocking far greater energy efficiency investment is the real test for whether InvestEU, and the wider EU budget, can deliver on clean growth and climate targets, write Pedro Guertler and Tom Jess.
Circular economy vital to EU’s quest to kill emissions: study
Reusing plastic and metal could help keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius and allow the EU to go emission free by 2050, according to new research on the burgeoning circular economy.
Why Europe needs more electricity interconnectors, public and private
Europe's underdeveloped power grid infrastructure means that a surplus of electricity cannot be traded across borders, wasting renewable energy in countries that produce more than they consume, write Jo Leinen and Werner Langen.
Fresh figures fail to convince national capitals to pen energy savings deal
Although newly crunched numbers make a strong case for setting a higher energy efficiency target, EU member states were unable to sign up to a compromise on Wednesday (30 May) that would have sealed an agreement before the end of Bulgaria’s presidency.
Making demand for electricity more flexible – a consumer view
The EU has an opportunity to take forward-looking action and shape exactly what kind of market we want when it comes to flexible electricity consumption offers, argues Angeliki Malizou.
Romania squandering EU funding, Moldova deserves more, says EU regional boss
Romanian Commissioner Corina Creţu wants her country to take full advantage of the EU funding that is on offer and for Moldova to meet the bloc’s accession criteria in order to unlock even more financing.
EU tables ground-breaking ‘low-carbon benchmark’ for green finance
The European Commission presented on Thursday (24 May) a set of proposals aimed at boosting private investment in low-carbon technologies like renewable energies while increasing transparency in sustainable finance to avoid green-washing.
EU paves way for final showdown on energy ‘governance’ bill
European Union legislators made progress Wednesday (23 May) on a draft EU law that sets a “trajectory” for the deployment of renewable energies in Europe and puts in place a “gap-filler” mechanism to ensure the bloc meets its 2030 energy and climate objectives.
Why the Paris Agreement requires an ambitious Energy Efficiency Directive
An energy efficiency target of around 35%, combined with a parallel increase in ambition for renewable energies, would allow the EU to halve its emissions by 2030, write Fiona Hall and Brook Riley.
Theresa May unveils plan to halve building energy use by 2030
UK Prime Minister Theresa May vowed to halve energy use from new buildings by 2030, as part of a speech that championed the role science and technology will play in delivering her government's industrial strategy. EURACTIV's media partner edie.net reports.
Deadlocked energy savings talks restart as Bulgarians eye final deal
Bulgaria’s EU presidency wants the European Parliament to put a compromise on the table during fresh talks on energy efficiency tonight (16 May) in order to unlock negotiations and close the file before July. But MEPs and member states still seem far apart on crucial aspects of energy savings.
Energy efficiency is good for climate, consumers and industry – so why undermine it?
The EU Council of Ministers wants to slow down annual obligations on energy savings by quietly introducing a whole new range of “flexibilities” after 2020, some of which are well-hidden in an Annex of the proposed Energy Efficiency Directive, writes Benedek Jávor.
Deal nears on EU energy savings law – talks focus on transport and targets
The European Parliament insists on including ships, cars and planes in the EU’s energy saving goals for 2030. But those very objectives remain a hot issue, with the latest EU presidency compromise proposal opting for a weaker, indicative 31-33% target range.
EU proposes 25% ‘climate quota’ in new long-term budget
The clean energy transition and other initiatives to decarbonise Europe’s economy will represent 25% of EU spending under a seven-year EU budget plan put forward by the European Commission on Wednesday (2 May).
Mayor of Ghent: Climate targets ‘almost impossible’ to meet without cities and regions
As the European Commission gets ready to come up with a climate strategy for 2050 and ongoing energy talks approach the finish line, Mayor of Ghent Daniël Termont told EURACTIV that cities and regions should not be relegated to a mere consultation role in this crucial planning phase.
Ørsted lines up first major UK battery storage project
Energy firm Ørsted has announced its first venture into large-scale energy storage systems, after announcing plans to build and operate a 20MW battery storage project near Liverpool. EURACTIV's media partners edie.net reports.
Breaking down the barriers to renewable heating in the UK
Europe is the global leader in renewable heat, but there’s plenty of room for improvement. Being bottom of the class, the UK is a case in point, writes Marcus Franck.
EU member states warm up to Parliament’s energy stance
An informal meeting of EU energy ministers on Thursday (19 April) revealed that member states are starting to come around to the idea of more ambitious energy targets for 2030, as MEPs raise pressure ahead of fresh talks starting next week.
EU energy efficiency debate skewed by bad maths, says study
Ongoing talks about the EU’s energy efficiency target for 2030 are deadlocked and the debate could have been skewed by the way initial cost estimates were calculated, according to a new study.Supporter
Danfoss top five priorities for a successful DWD revision:
- Unlock investments in energy efficiency and digitalization
- Increase transparency about energy use and water losses in the European water sector
- Enforce reduction of water leaks to de-risk contamination through leaky pipes
- Make information easy to understand by the public and comparable between member states
- Think circular economy
