Energy Efficiency

Energy Community, EBRD issue joint Policy Guidelines for implementing Energy Efficiency Obligation schemes

Photo: Pexels

Published

November 28, 2018

Country

Comments

comments icon

0

Share

Published:

November 28, 2018

Country:

Comments:

comments icon

0

Share

The Energy Community (EnC) Secretariat and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have issued joint Policy Guidelines to help countries in the region design and implement an Energy Efficiency Obligation (EEO) scheme in line with Article 7 of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive.

According to the Secretariat’s press release, Article 7 requires EU Member States to achieve cumulative energy savings between 2014 and 2020, equivalent to new yearly savings of 1.5% of a reference quantity of energy sales. This requirement has been transposed into the EnC acquis with the revised basis for the target of cumulative savings with the new yearly savings equivalent to 0.7% of the reference quantity over the period from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020.

Contracting Parties must achieve the target either through an EEO scheme, ‘Alternative Measures’, or a combination of the two. EEO schemes are a legislative mechanism that places requirements on ‘Obligated Parties’ (OPs) – in most cases electricity or gas suppliers – to meet quantitative energy savings targets across their customer portfolio.

The Policy Guidelines lays out the following recommendations for getting started with an EEO scheme:

  • Be realistic on scope and timetable
  • Consider related alternatives (perhaps for a transitional period)
  • Early engagement of the Ministry of Finance and energy regulator are essential
  • Early engagement of Obligated Parties is also essential
  • Pay attention to development of supporting documentation
  • Regular reviews are necessary.

Detailed overview of EEO schemes in the region

The Policy Guidelines are already being reflected in the policy work of the EBRD and the EnC Secretariat – most notably in Serbia, Montenegro and former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, where the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP) is providing assistance to authorities to select the most appropriate measures for implementing the requirements of Article 7, the Secretariat said.

The Policy Guidelines brings detailed overview of EEO schemes in EBRD countries of operation and EnC Contracting Parties, including FYROM, Serbia, BiH, Kosovo*, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, and Greece.

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
Comments (0)

Be the first one to comment on this article.

Enter Your Comment
Please wait... Please fill in the required fields. There seems to be an error, please refresh the page and try again. Your comment has been sent.

Related Articles

projects euros modernisation fund celan energy

EU’s Modernisation Fund disburses EUR 3.66 billion for clean energy projects in nine countries

04 July 2025 - Focusing on renewables, grids, storage, and energy efficiency, the funds will support projects in Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, and Romania.

marta kos growth plan western balkans skopje

Clean energy, grid upgrade projects in Western Balkans to be backed under EU’s Growth Plan

02 July 2025 - The European Commission has proposed the first support package, worth EUR 87.7 million, under the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

Igor Andjelkovic Country Lead Serbia Hitachi Energy

Hitachi Energy: Game-changing solutions for a sustainable energy future

25 June 2025 - With its system solutions, products, and services, Hitachi Energy contributes to sustainable energy and a better future, Igor Anđelković said at BEF 2025.

slovenia smart grids investments distribution grid

Slovenia’s EUR 150 million smart grid leap

18 June 2025 - The five electricity distribution firms in Slovenia will invest more than EUR 150 million by the end of March 2026