A boost for the energy efficiency economy

The Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive (2006/32/EC)

A concise overview of all its aspects

Directive 2006/32/EC was adopted by the European Council on 14 March and entered into force on 17 May 2006. The member states have now two years to transpose it into national law. Its full name is the Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive, but it is often referred to as the Energy Services Directive or sometimes as the Energy Efficiency Directive.

ECEEE executed a close reading of the directive and wrote down its findings in a policy brief. The briefing paper tackles the origin of the directive, its precise content, and what is needed for its implementation to be a success.

Particular about the directive is that it does not focus on specific technologies or measures, but on the principal players. It consists of:

• A target for the member states: they must achieve a minimum of 9% energy savings in the period from 2008 to 2016, meaning 1% annually
• A pan-European framework for financing, metering, billing and promoting energy services
• Commitments for the public sector: EU member states are required to ensure that their public sector organizations play an exemplary role
• Commitments for energy companies: EU member states are required to place energy efficiency obligations on energy distributors or retailers. The energy companies can participate directly in energy efficiency activities, but they are also allowed to participate indirectly, for instance by contributing to a fund.

A harmonised system to measure the achievements of the energy services is still under further development. A committee with member state government representatives is being established to assist the Commission on this point.