Tag: EU policies

New communication on energy security from the European Commission

It is good to see that the European Commission has come out with its new communication on energy security. Energy security certainly needs to be given higher priority. It is good to see that energy efficiency is mentioned first. When the Commission first proposed its non-binding target for energy efficiency, there were many complaints that … Continue reading New communication on energy security from the European Commission →

Finland reprimanded over failure to implement EPBD

The popular opinion is that Finland is amongst the best EU member states for giving a priority to energy efficiency. Finnbay reports that the European Commission has referred Finland to the Court of Justice because of its failure to implement aspects of the buildings directive related to energy performance certificates and nearly zero energy buildings. … Continue reading Finland reprimanded over failure to implement EPBD →

Efforts underway in EU to increase lending to SMEs

Analysts and policymakers are struggling to find a way to improve the long-term financing of small and medium-sized enterprises. This goes beyond energy efficiency and the problem is simply crippling many companies. James Fontanella-Khan reports in the Financial Times that are hopefully on the way within the EU to bring these reforms forward.   Brussels … Continue reading Efforts underway in EU to increase lending to SMEs →

Update on Romanian renewable energy situation

Following last week’s post on the green certificates allocated in Romania, Balkans.com Business News reports that Romania has already passed its 2020 target set through the European Union.   Romania overshoots target for renewable energy The share of electricity produced through renewable sources reached a level of 41 percent in 2013, overshooting the target of … Continue reading Update on Romanian renewable energy situation →

Update on last week’s post on the need for more focus on implementation of the energy performance of buildings directive

There have been responses to the EiD discussion paper published last week, most of them directly by email.  The number of downloads of the report and the responses to the related tweets were most encouraging.  There is a great concern about implementation and many mention the number of infringement procedures underway that indicate the level … Continue reading Update on last week’s post on the need for more focus on implementation of the energy performance of buildings directive →

Update on renewable energy support in Romania

Romania-Insider.com writes about the issuing of green certificates in 2013 in Romania.  This has to be seen in the context of the government cutting incentives in 2013.   Romanian electricity distributor Transelectrica issues 10 mln green certificates for renewable energy producers in 2013 Romanian state – owned electricity distribution company Transelectrica issued 10.1 million green … Continue reading Update on renewable energy support in Romania →

When should state aid be allowed?

The European Union, as almost anywhere, has to juggle many priorities at once.  Obviously the EU has benefited from the internal market and that has meant a level playing field.  Always vigilant, the European Commission has questioned the use of state aid for sustainable energy.  Ewa Krukowska writes for Bloomberg news service about the possibility … Continue reading When should state aid be allowed? →

Focus must be on implementation if we are to see needed impact of energy performance of buildings

The energy performance of buildings directive was recast in 2010 and EU member states are busy implementing it.  A new EiD discussion paper by Rod Janssen considers many of the challenges facing member states in this implementation phase.  It reviews the challenges in improving the energy performance of buildings as a whole:  gaining and maintaining … Continue reading Focus must be on implementation if we are to see needed impact of energy performance of buildings →