Bringing energy efficiency to the liberalised markets

Panel: Panel 1. Energy efficiency – a strategic choice for Europe

Authors:
Stefan Thomas, Wuppertal Institute for Climate Environment Energy
Wolfgang Irrek, Wuppertal Institute for Climate Environment Energy
Randall Bowie, European Commission, DG Energy and Transport

Abstract

Restructuring and liberalisation on the supply side of the electricity and gas markets has been accelerated by two EU Directives. However, demand-side energy efficiency has not yet received the attention in this process that it deserves. Experience in countries such as Denmark, the UK, Belgium, and Italy shows: Policy can create a supportive framework, allowing energy companies and other market actors to play their role in assisting their customers with the more efficient use of electricity and gas, also in liberalised markets.

The European Commission is therefore preparing an Initiative and a proposal for a Directive presently entitled ‘on Demand Management and Energy Services’, which also the European Parliament requested as a complement to the EU internal electricity and gas market Directives.

In this context, the European Commission has given financial support to a group of EU institutions, co-ordinated by the Wuppertal Institute, for the project ‘Bringing Energy Services to the Liberalised Markets (BEST)’. This project disseminates information and organises a stakeholder dialogue on good practice in supportive policy, and in energy efficiency programmes and services themselves. Major actions to achieve this are workshops in six EU countries, and a European Conference.

The paper will present and analyse this unique approach of systematically integrating scientific analysis by the project group and different stakeholders already during the political-administrative process, i.e. the political debates over the introduction and contents of a new Directive. The usefulness and setbacks of this innovative approach for enhancing the chances of adoption and rapid and coherent implementation will be assessed.