Energy Efficiency

Reasons for and objectives of the proposal

The present proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and the Council adapting Directive 2012/27/EU [as amended by Directive 2018/XXX/EU] 1 on energy efficiency and the Regulation (EU) 2018/XXX [Governance of the Energy Union] is necessitated by the upcoming withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

The United Kingdom submitted on 29 March 2017 the notification of its intention to withdraw from the Union pursuant to Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. This means that, unless a ratified withdrawal agreement establishes another date, all Union primary and secondary law will cease to apply to the United Kingdom from 30 March 2019, 00:00h (CET) (‘the withdrawal date’). Negotiations are ongoing with the United Kingdom with a view to reaching a withdrawal agreement.

Furthermore, in accordance with Article 50(3) of the Treaty on European Union, the European Council, in agreement with the United Kingdom, may unanimously decide that the Treaties cease to apply at a later date.

The present proposal covers Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency [as amended by Directive 2018/XXX/EU] and Regulation (EU) 2018/XXX [Governance of the Energy Union] 2 . The energy consumption figures for 2030 given in both legal acts cover 28 Member States (EU28).

Directive 2012/27/EU,as amended by Directive 2018/XXX/EU, sets a Union energy efficiency target of at least 32,5% for 2030 and requires Member States to set indicative national energy efficiency contributions. In so doing the Member States should take into account the Union’s 2030 energy consumption 3 . Regulation (EU) 2018/XXX [Governance of the Energy Union] requires Member States in their contribution setting process for the Union 2030 target for energy efficiency to take into account the Union’s 2030 energy consumption. Energy consumption at Union level is also relevant for the European Commission’s assessment of progress towards collectively achieving the Union’s targets.

The revised Energy Efficiency Directive translates the Union’s 2030 energy efficiency headline target of at least 32,5 % into absolute values of no more than 1 273 Mtoe of primary and no more than 956 Mtoe of final energy consumption for the Union of 28 Member States. These values are calculated by reducing the 2007 PRIMES reference scenario projections for the EU in 2030 by 32,5 %. The respective projections for the EU 27 excluding the United Kingdom result in absolute energy consumption levels of no more than 1 128 Mtoe of primary energy consumption and no more than 846 Mtoe of final energy consumption in 2030.

With the withdrawal of the United Kingdom, the Union’s energy consumption figures for 2030 therefore needs to be adjusted to the situation of 27 Member States. As this change is based on the same underlying energy model figures, it can be considered a technical adaptation.

Important Notice- See the Disclaimer and our Term of Use above Brexit Legal, McMahon Legal and Paul McMahon have no liability arising from reliance on anything contained in this article nor on this website

Contact McMahon Legal