Energy Efficiency Directive: 2020 targets can be met flexibly according to national requirements. Markus Pieper MEP

The future of EU energy efficiency is a done deal. The EPP Group welcomes the agreement reached between negotiators of Parliament and Council last night. "The agreement is a major step to meet the 2020 target to increase the EU's energy efficieny by 20 percent. This is good news as investors and enterprises in the energy sector have now got legal certainty. We will have enough flexibility for the individual national requirements including awards for early actions of Member States", said Markus Pieper MEP who is in charge of the Energy Efficieny Directive for the EPP Group.

Member States will have to put in place measures that lead to energy savings of 1.5 percent of the annual energy sales. This can be achieved either by energy saving obligations or alternative measures, for example tax reductions on energy efficiency investments. Discounts or exemptions can be applied by Member States but must not exceed 25 percent of the obligation. For example, energy sales to sectors which take part in the EU greenhouse gas emission trading system can be partly exempt from the Directive.

"I welcome this pragmatic solution which ensures that the saving obligation can be achieved through individual measures on the ground", said Mr Pieper. Following the official appoval by the Energy Council tomorrow and by the European Parliament, the new Energy Efficieny Directive is likely to enter into force by the end of the year.

For further information:
Markus Pieper MEP, Tel: +33-3-88-177305
Thomas Bickl, EPP Group Press and Communications Service, Tel: +32-478-215372

Notes to Editors:
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 271 Members and 3 Croatian Observer Members.