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Columnists: Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Energy

Published on: 1 Jul 2006

We need a new culture of energy

I am grateful for this opportunity to write an introductory column for the new eceee web site. I welcome this opportunity for an exchange of views on the subject on energy efficiency, which has become one of the corner stones of the European energy policy.

Energy efficiency and energy savings are the only policy options that at the same time can increase our security of energy supply, increase our competitiveness and respect our environmental commitments. It is the quickest and cheapest way to reduce CO2 emissions.

This is why, since the beginning of my mandate as Commissioner, energy efficiency has become one of my absolute priorities. In June 2005, the Commission adopted a Green Paper on Energy Efficiency which indicates ways in which the European Union could save, in a cost effective manner, some 20% of its energy consumption by 2020. This is equivalent to € 60 billion per year, or the present combined energy consumption of Germany and Finland.

Most of the calculations on the cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency measures were made on the assumption that the price of oil was around 30 $ per barrel. But since the adoption of the Green Paper, the urgency to act on energy efficiency has only increased with the quite unprecedented leap in oil prices. Our growth perspectives have been affected by the growing cost of energy. Therefore, boosting energy efficiency will be good for economic growth and job creation. Increased energy efficiency and the Lisbon Agenda are inextricably linked.

This sector is characterised by a large number of small and medium sized enterprises. An active policy in energy efficiency will not only serve the energy needs of the European Union, but will also support a sector in which Europe is leader and has an enormous potential for growth, creating many jobs in the process.

The Green Paper indicates which options are open to exploit the potential of energy savings. The options embrace all sectors - production and end-use, industry and services, households and buildings, transport and international relations and they concern all stakeholders.

The Green Paper was the point of departure for a broad debate involving all energy consumers. The Heads of States and Governments asked the Commission last year to put forward a comprehensive energy policy. This has been done by the Green Paper on a European Strategy for Secure, Competitive and Sustainable Energy, which was discussed at the European Council in March this year. The Heads of States and Governments asked the Commission as a matter of urgency to bring forward an Action Plan on Energy Efficiency. The Commission is currently analysing the stakeholder responses provided in the public debate, and undertaking an impact assessment in the field. It will come forward with the Action Plan as soon as this work has been finished.

There is a huge potential to save energy. Some of the actions will represent very easy gains; some of them will need longer time for preparation and for return on initial investment. At this moment, when more Europeans - both institutions and citizens - are experimenting difficulties with the high price of energy, Europe needs to take urgent action in this area.

Legislative measures alone will not be enough to make real change. We need a new culture of energy efficiency in which companies and individuals adopt new habits. Such a culture can only be achieved by disseminating the necessary information. For that purpose web sites such as this are going to play a capital role.

Andris Piebalgs is European Commissioner for Energy
Visit Mr Piebalgs' personal web site.

Other columns by Andris Piebalgs