Coalition on the Energy Union: Time to make the ‘Efficiency First’ motto operational

(eceee news, 27 Feb 2015) The European Commission now commits to ensure that energy efficiency competes on equal terms with energy generation. This was the conclusion by the EU-based Coalition for Energy Savings, in which eceee is a member, after the release of the Energy Union strategy released 25 February.

“The European Commission is finally making energy efficiency a prerequisite for a coherent energy policy”, said Stefan Scheuer, Secretary General of the Coalition for Energy Savings.

As a multi-stakeholder Coalition, uniting 26 European business, civil society, professional, trade union and local government organisations, the Coalition for Energy Savings calls on the European Union to reap the huge cost-effective energy savings potential spread across its economy, evaluated at 40% by 2030. This would bring energy security, sustainability, jobs, and economic growth.

Expectations have been raised by Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič’s and Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete’s calls for ‘energy efficiency first’ to become the Union’s motto, but further steps are needed to ensure energy efficiency is prioritised over increasing supply where it would deliver more value. This includes improving the valuation of energy efficiency in energy projections, stepping up implementation of existing EU requirements, ensuring that public funding is only allocated to the most cost-effective projects, and revising legislation for the energy market and energy efficiency adequately.

“The Energy Union Communication gives a positive signal that the Commission sees the need to correct the powerful historic bias towards increasing energy supply. We now look forward to the development of actions to systematically put energy efficiency first”, added Stefan Scheuer.

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