EU presents energy market reform for clean energy transition

The European Commission has presented a package of measures to keep the European Union competitive as the clean energy transition is changing the global energy markets.



The Commission's “Clean Energy for All Europeans” proposals include measures covering energy efficiency, renewable energy, the design of the electricity market, security of electricity supply and governance rules for the Energy Union. The Commission will update the existing Energy Efficiency Directive by aligning energy efficiency targets with the EU 2030 climate and energy framework and by extending beyond 2020 the energy saving obligation requiring energy suppliers and distributors to save 1.5% of energy each year from 2021 to 2030. The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive will also be updated, focusing on building renovation.



The Renewable Energy Directive is also revised, to include four new requirements for the post-2020 period: emission requirements for advanced biofuels, which shall emit at least 70% fewer GHG emissions than fossil fuels; a new sustainability criterion on forest biomass used in energy, in order to mitigate the risk of overharvesting and ensure LULUCF accounting; an 80% GHG saving requirement for heat and power produced from biomass and biogas (applying to large scale installations with a fuel capacity equal or above 20 MW); and a requirement that electricity from biomass is produced using highly efficient combined heat and power technology.



The Clean Energy for All European programme will also focus on consumer protection and on the acceleration of the deployment of smart meters.