EC demands Slovenia to comply with Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

The European Commission has requested Slovenia to correctly transpose all the requirements of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) into national law.

In the EU, buildings represent 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions.

Under the law, Member States must establish and apply minimum energy performance requirements for new and existing buildings, ensure the certification of buildings’ energy performance, and require the regular inspection of heating and air conditioning systems. In addition, Member States have to ensure that all new buildings are ‘nearly-zero energy’ buildings from 2021 onwards.

“According to the Commission’s assessment, not all the requirements of the Directive have been fulfilled in Slovenia. In particular, the national legislation does not yet ensure the display of energy performance certificates in all buildings frequently visited by the public, as required,” EC said in a statement.

Slovenia has two months to comply with its obligations, otherwise, the EC may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the EU.

According to EC’s data, currently, about 35% of the EU’s buildings are over 50 years old. By improving the energy efficiency of buildings, EU could reduce total EU energy consumption by 5-6% and lower CO2 emissions by about 5%.

In October 2015 the Slovenian Government approved the Long-Term Strategy for Mobilising Investments in the Energy Renovation of Buildings.

The anticipated outcome is the renovation of 9.1 million m2 of floor area in the period 2014–2023. The total annual value of investments in the renovation of buildings amounts to EUR 40 million.

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive are the EU’s main legislation for the reduction of the energy consumption of buildings.

Agreement on the update to EPBD

On the 30 November 2016 the EC proposed an update to the EPBD to help promote the use of smart technology in buildings and to streamline the existing rules.

On 19 December 2017 a political agreement was reached between Council of the European Union, the European Parliament, and the EC on the proposed update to the EPBD.

“Based on the EC proposals, they agreed to add a series of measures to the current Directive aimed at accelerating the cost-effective renovation of existing buildings. There will also be updates to provisions on smart technologies and technical building systems, including automation, and e-mobility will be introduced into the scope of the Directive,” EC said after reaching an agreement.