The European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission have found a political agreement on Monday 16 november on the recast of the Energy Performance of Building's Directive (EPBD). "The recast of the EPBD is a good step in the right direction, sending the right signal before COP15, especially regarding the binding requirement to have by 2020 all new constructions nearly zero energy buildings, so taking into account both demand and supply side,” states EREC President Arthouros Zervos.
The recast introduces for the first time a European-wide definition of nearly zero energy buildings. Up to now only a handful of Member States had different definitions for low energy/plus energy or zero carbon buildings. This definition requires a decreased energy use in buildings but also entails a renewable energy requirement: “The nearly zero or very low amount of energy required should to a very significant extent be covered by energy from renewable source, including renewable energy produced on-site or nearby". Phasing in of renewable energy in buildings means decreasing our import dependency as about 40% of the EU’s energy is consumed in buildings.
All New Buildings to become Nearly Zero Energy by 2020
All new buildings have to be nearly zero by 31 December 2020 with public buildings having to fulfill this standard already by 31 December 2018. “EREC welcomes this binding requirement of introducing renewable energy in buildings at EU level by 2020: This provision reinforces the Renewable Energy Directive's provisions requiring minimum levels of use of renewable energy sources in buildings », says EREC President Arthouros Zervos. Without an obligation in buildings, it will be difficult to achieve the 2020 renewable energy target. It is therefore important that Member States take a proactive stance and anticipate the introduction of the measure. Increased energy efficiency will furthermore help each and every Member State - and the European Union as a whole - to reach the binding 2020 renewable energy targets.