Energy Efficiency Directive
The revised Energy Efficiency Directive sets an EU energy efficiency target of reducing final energy consumption by 11.7% by 2030, compared to the reference year of 2020.
It also introduces measures such as increasing annual energy savings obligations and prioritizing energy efficiency improvements for vulnerable customers and social housing.
The new directive introduces a series of measures to help accelerate energy efficiency, including embracing the “energy efficiency first” principle in the energy and non-energy policies.
Current Status:
Directive (EU) 2023/1791 recasts and replaces both Directive 2012/27/EU and its amending acts, including Directive (EU) 2018/2002.
Changes from the previous directives 2018/2002 and 2012/27/EU include the following:
-> Establishing an EU legally-binding target to reduce the EU’s final energy consumption by 11.7% by 2030 (relative to the 2020 reference scenario). This includes for each Member State the requirement to set its indicative national contribution based on objective criteria reflecting national circumstances. If the national contributions do not add up to the EU target, an ambition gap mechanism is applied by the Commission.
-> Increasing annual energy savings from 0.8% (at present) to 1.3% (2024-2025), then 1.5% (2026-2027) and 1.9% from 2028 onwards. That’s an average of 1.49% of new annual savings for the period from 2024-2030.
-> Obliging Member States to prioritise vulnerable customers and social housing within the scope of their energy savings measures.
-> Introducing an annual energy consumption reduction target of 1.9% for the public sector as a whole.
-> Extending the annual 3% buildings renovation obligation to all the levels of public administration.
-> Introducing a different approach, based on energy consumption, for business to have an energy management system or to carry out an energy audits.
-> Bringing in a new obligation to monitor the energy performance of data centres, with an EU-level database collecting and publishing data.
-> Promoting local heating & cooling plans in larger municipalities.
-> Progressively increasing the efficient energy consumption in heat or cold supply, also in district heating.
Under Article 8 of the directive, Member States are required to achieve cumulative end-use energy savings over specified periods. To meet these obligations, they can implement an EEOS, adopt alternative policy measures, or use a combination of both. The directive provides flexibility for Member States to design their schemes according to national circumstances, as long as they meet the overall energy savings targets.
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It also introduces measures such as increasing annual energy savings obligations and prioritizing energy efficiency improvements for vulnerable customers and social housing.
The new directive introduces a series of measures to help accelerate energy efficiency, including embracing the “energy efficiency first” principle in the energy and non-energy policies.
Current Status:
Directive (EU) 2023/1791 recasts and replaces both Directive 2012/27/EU and its amending acts, including Directive (EU) 2018/2002.
Changes from the previous directives 2018/2002 and 2012/27/EU include the following:
-> Establishing an EU legally-binding target to reduce the EU’s final energy consumption by 11.7% by 2030 (relative to the 2020 reference scenario). This includes for each Member State the requirement to set its indicative national contribution based on objective criteria reflecting national circumstances. If the national contributions do not add up to the EU target, an ambition gap mechanism is applied by the Commission.
-> Increasing annual energy savings from 0.8% (at present) to 1.3% (2024-2025), then 1.5% (2026-2027) and 1.9% from 2028 onwards. That’s an average of 1.49% of new annual savings for the period from 2024-2030.
-> Obliging Member States to prioritise vulnerable customers and social housing within the scope of their energy savings measures.
-> Introducing an annual energy consumption reduction target of 1.9% for the public sector as a whole.
-> Extending the annual 3% buildings renovation obligation to all the levels of public administration.
-> Introducing a different approach, based on energy consumption, for business to have an energy management system or to carry out an energy audits.
-> Bringing in a new obligation to monitor the energy performance of data centres, with an EU-level database collecting and publishing data.
-> Promoting local heating & cooling plans in larger municipalities.
-> Progressively increasing the efficient energy consumption in heat or cold supply, also in district heating.
Under Article 8 of the directive, Member States are required to achieve cumulative end-use energy savings over specified periods. To meet these obligations, they can implement an EEOS, adopt alternative policy measures, or use a combination of both. The directive provides flexibility for Member States to design their schemes according to national circumstances, as long as they meet the overall energy savings targets.
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- Categories
- Energy Efficiency
- Legislation instrument
- Directive
- Pillars
- Environmental
- Audience
- Business
- Legislation status
- In Force
- Applicable area
- EU
- Directive (EU) 2023/1791
Timeline
- ProposedJul 14, 2021
- ApprovedJul 25, 2023
- AdoptedSep 13, 2023
- PublishedSep 20, 2023
- In ForceOct 10, 2023
- In ApplicationOct 10, 2025
It entered into force on 10 October 2023, and Member States are required to transpose its provisions into national law by 11 October 2025.
General information
Overview
EnglishInformation
Energy efficiency targets
EnglishInformation
Energy Efficiency Obligation Schemes (EEOS) in the EU (JRC)
EnglishInformation
Local Transpositions
Detailed Calculations for EU Countries Indicative National Contributions to the Union’s Energy Efficiency Targets1.52 MB
EnglishInformation
List of National Contact Points and Information Resources190 kB
EnglishInformation
EEOS - Ireland341 kB
EnglishIrelandImplementing ActIn Force
Regulatory Instruments
Revision of Primary Energy Factor for Electricity368 kB
EnglishDelegated ActIn ForceApr 14, 2023
EU Data Centre Sustainability Rating Scheme412 kB
EnglishDelegated ActIn ForceMay 17, 2024
Harmonised Efficiency Reference Values for Separate Production284 kB
EnglishDelegated ActIn ForceJan 1, 2016