Strong hand for not complying with the EU Energy Efficiency Directive
The European Commission has just dealt a definitive blow and much awaited by many professionals in the sector in light of the little positive attitude of many countries of the European Union for applying and carrying out a correct transposition of the Energy Efficiency Directive (Directive 2012/27 / EU) . On March 26, the Commission announced the immediate application of a package of monthly offenses and their corresponding legal actions against countries that do not respect EU legislation.
More than two thirds of EU countries face legal action from the European Commission and possible fines, after failing to transpose the EU Energy Efficiency Directive into national law. (Only nine countries have declared that they comply with the transposition of the Directive. 16 have not fully incorporated it, and three have made absolutely no progress)
Three key articles to understand the current situation in Spain from this portal:
- The public administration and its obligation before the acquisition of energy buildings
- Spain and 23 States do not comply with the EU energy efficiency law
- The future of rehabilitation in Spain. The Building Book for Existing Buildings
It is curious that 19 Member States have missed the deadline in more than nine months since the requirement to present the transposition of the European Directive on Energy Efficiency, and that, meeting after meeting, the leading EU countries continue to call for full implementation and rigorous enforcement of existing energy efficiency laws in the EU legislative framework.
Background of non-compliance with European legislation on energy efficiency:
Point 1. Failure to comply with EU requirements
27 Member States affected by legal action for failing to comply with EU requirements on energy efficiency. (News HERE in English)
Proceedings against Greece, Portugal and Slovenia for not fully implementing the Energy Efficiency Directive began last month. (News HERE in English)
In November, Bulgaria and Hungary were asked by the Executive to fully incorporate the rules, one of the steps before the strongest legal action.
Point 2. Strengthen the sanctions
The Commission has a policy of not communicating about its infringement procedures before they are announced. However, the executive has indicated his intention to toughen sanctions for countries that are unwilling to fully implement EU efficiency laws. (News HERE in English)
As countries support energy efficiency legislation … "Full and rigorous application must be enforced"
Point 3. The European Commission takes action
The Commission is at the moment of launching all the infringement procedures against all Member States that do not transpose the regulation in many areas … "But above all in energy efficiency"Cañete said.
Point 4. A forceful analysis of non-compliance with the Energy Efficiency Directive
An analysis by The Coalition for Energy Savings revealed that most Member States had not submitted credible plans to meet the requirements of the EU directive. (News HERE in English - Access report HERE)
Map showing the general classification of the Member States under Directive 2012/27 / EU.
Denmark and Ireland were the only countries that came up with credible and viable plans. Other Member States such as Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands did not comply. France and Germany were only partially compliant. The investigation showed that the UK, the Czech Republic, Romania or Spain have strategies that are acceptable, but there was still room for improvement.
Let us remember that this week Spain has just approved a plan of aid for energy efficiency and energy saving projects with the intention of improving compliance with the savings objectives derived from Directive 2012/27 / EU.
