Energy committee welcomes multi-annual programmes for energy efficiency
The Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy has approved, subject to a number of amendments, the European Commission's proposals for Council Decisions concerning two multi-annual programmes for energy efficiency. The first is a continuation of the SAVE II programme, adopted by the Council in December 1996, for the promotion of energy efficiency, and the second - ALTENER II - is aimed at promoting renewable energy sources. The Committee proposes that SAVE II should aim at a further 1.5% annual improvement on energy intensity of final consumption. It goes on to specify areas in which efforts should be concentrated, including: - The introduction of an energy certificate for buildings; - The insulation of new buildings; - Regular checks on boilers; - Promotion of third-party funding of energy-saving investment; - Combined heat and power; - The elaboration of energy standards in transport. The Committee also suggests that the Commission targets for reducing carbon-dioxide emissions could be stretched even further by shifting towards renewable energy sources. It highlighted the importance of minimizing duplication of effort within the ALTENER II programme and developing potential synergies. ALTENER II, the Committee said, should contribute to achieving the Community objective of replacing the demand for primary energy with renewable energy by the equivalent of 15% by the year 2010.