The 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.
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.
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.
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.
- 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
- AdoptedJul 25, 2023
- PublishedSep 20, 2023
- In ForceOct 10, 2023
- In ApplicationOct 10, 2025
Member States have two years from enforcement to transpose the directive into national law.
General information
Overview
EnglishInformation
Regulatory Instruments
Revision of Primary Energy Factor for Electricity368 kB
EnglishDelegated ActIn Force Apr 14, 2023
EU Data Centre Sustainability Rating Scheme412 kB
EnglishDelegated ActIn Force May 17, 2024
Harmonised Efficiency Reference Values for Separate Production284 kB
EnglishDelegated ActIn Force Jan 1, 2016