Clean energy for all Europeans

Within the Official Journal of the European Union (L328) has been published three normative acts related to the Law package “Clean energy for all Europeans”, namely the (i) Directive (EU) 2018/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency; (ii) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and (iii) Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action.

By means of the subject package the following changes are meant to occur:

1. Energy efficiency new objectives

The Directive (EU) 2018/2002 established as target for energy efficiency 20% for 2020 year and at least 32.5% until 2030.

Given that buildings are the largest energy consumers (i.e. approximatively 40% of the final energy consumption and 36% of the greenhouse gas emission in Europe), it is resolved that by improving this sector, could bring a significant contribution to energy efficiency – therefore an important focus of the said package is represented by the improvement of energy performance in the building sector.

Member States are obliged to establish long term strategies to mobilize investments in the refurbishment of the national stock of buildings.

2. Additional rights for consumers

This package aims to establish new rules regarding the transparency of energy bills and for more clear & understandable contracts, proving new rules in what concerns the content of the energy bills. Among others, the consumers should have the right to request smart meters, being thus informed in real time about their consumption and costs.

3. A better governance of the EU and increasing the energy security

Each Member State shall decide on how they contribute to the European objective by drafting a National Energy and Climate Plan for 2021-2030. The CE shall evaluate the drafts and may issue country-specific recommendations to Member State.

Member States will describe in their integrated national energy and climate plans, the main existing and planned policies and measures to achieve their objectives and shall provide also a general overview of the investment needed to achieve the objectives, targets and contributions set out in the national plan, as well as a general assessment on the sources of that investment.

Further on, it is expressly provided that in order to facilitate market integration and cost-efficient policies and measures, Member States will also present the relevant parts of their plans which aim for regional cooperation.

Where necessary, the CE shall facilitate such cooperation and consultation among the Member States and if it identifies any opportunities for further regional cooperation, it may provide with indicative guidance for facilitating the effective cooperation and consultation process.

Yours sincerely,
Almaj, Iordache SCA