Energy Efficiency directive (EED) and EPBD contribute to the EU’s climate objectives. In 2021, the EU set a target to reduce its emissions by 55% by 2030. The emissions target is set compared to 1990 levels. In the same package, EU decided to aim for climate neutrality by 2050. New directives were needed to achieve these targets.
The 55% emissions reduction target comes from the European climate law package “FIT FOR 55”. It was presented in July 2021 and its target has been signposted and guided by new directives and regulation also some regulation has been remade. Some of the regulations are still pending.
Based on the FIT FOR 55 package, the energy efficiency directives (EED) (energy efficiency directive) and Energy Performance of Building Directive (EBPD) have been developed. The EED sets upper limits for energy consumption in the EU for 2030, while the EBPD aims to increase energy efficiency and accelerate the assembly of renewable energy sources in buildings.
The Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) was renewed and published in October 2023. Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is due to be completed in late 2023. The exact changes to Finland will not be known until late 2025, as work on the changes is still ongoing. Both legislative packages oblige the public sector to lead by example in meeting energy saving targets.
Energy Efficiency Directive EED
The EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) was modernized and came into force in October 2023, replacing the original 2012 directive and its 2018 update. The Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) gives broad national possibilities to target energy saving measures.
The EED guides and obliges all EU Member States to incorporate into national legislation the laws and mechanisms to achieve the energy savings targets set. The Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) must be implemented in Member States legislation by 10.10.2025 at the latest. The EED is targeted at all energy use in the EU.
The Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) sets an upper limit for energy consumption
The Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) sets upper limits for energy consumption in the EU from 2030. There are precise consumption ceilings for primary energy, i.e. energy that is not naturally produced from processed energy (11 549 TWh), and a specific ceiling for final energy, i.e. processed energy used by users (8 874 TWh). The cap targets set represent an 11.7% reduction in projected EU energy consumption in 2030.
Based on the previously existing and now replaced Energy Efficiency Directives (EED 2012 and EED 2018), the Energy Efficiency Act (1429/2014) was enacted in Finland in 2014. The Act provides, among other things, for energy audits of large companies. In addition, in order to implement the previous EU Energy Efficiency Directive, various mechanisms, such as voluntary energy performance contracts, were used to guide energy savings. More than 700 companies have already signed up to the Energy Efficiency Agreements, whose energy consumption accounts for almost 60% of Finland’s total energy consumption.
Energy Performance of Buildings Directive EPBD
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is a legislation targeting new and existing buildings. The directive obliges Member States to construct and develop buildings on their territory to a certain specified standard.
Currently in Finland the latest version of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, from 2018 has been enacted in Finland. The following law was voted and passed to Finnish legislation:
Act on the equipment of buildings with charging points for electric vehicles and the provision of such charging points and automation and control systems.
Finnlex.fi laki 733/2020
The law obliges to the following:
- All new buildings and buildings with major renovations must install electric vehicle charging points and reserves for future charging capabilities on parking spaces in the property if there are more than 11 parking spaces.
- The law requires that all buildings – new, renovated and existing – must have a building automation system installed by the end of 2024 if the combined rated power input from the heating and ventilation systems are at least 290 kW.
Update to the EPBD Directive in the near future
The Directive is currently being updated and the revised Directive is expected to be finalised between 2023 and 2024. The Directive is in the trialogue phase between the European Parliament, the Commission and the Council (as of November 2023). The ambitions are high from all three sides.
The Commission’s proposal for the content of the EPBD is very ambitious. In the Commission’s proposal, the 15% of the building stock with the worst energy performance of all should be mandatorily upgraded to the next highest energy performance class by 2030.
What’s in store?
There is bound to be an emotional debate in the media and very tough directives and legislation governing and obliging energy efficiency in buildings. Just as with the Energy Efficiency Directive EED, we will not know until the end of 2025 how the EPBD will actually affect Finnish legislation.
Only time will tell how much guidance and obligations will be included in future directives and legislation. In any case, the aim of these is important, to create a future by reducing greenhouse emissions and improving energy efficiency.
