Brussels, 22 June 2011 The Commission's new Energy Efficiency
Directive What is the objective? The aim is to save energy and
to reach the target the EU has set itself: By 2020, the EU wants
to cut energy consumption by 20 percent1. In absolute terms –
calculated in million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe)– this are
368 Mtoe in 2020 compared to projected consumption in that year
of 1842 Mtoe. This needs to be achieved by the EU as a whole. At
the moment – with all the measures on EU and national level in
place so far – we would only reach 1678 Mtoe, or 9% of savings.
Figure 1: Projection of primary energy use for the EU by 20202
What are the measures proposed? Legal obligation to establish
energy saving schemes in all Member States: energy distributors
or retail energy sales companies will be obliged to save every
year 1,5 % of their energy sales, by volume, through the
implementation of energy efficiency measures such as improving
the efficiency of the heating system, installing double glazed
windows or insulati