Energy Efficiency

EU’s ambitious goals in the 2030 energy strategy package

Photo: Jennifer Jacquemart / EC © EU 2016

Published

December 1, 2016

Country

Comments

comments icon

0

Share

Published:

December 1, 2016

Country:

Comments:

comments icon

0

Share

The European Commission has presented an ambitious energy strategy, dubbed “Clean Energy for All Europeans” with plans to cut carbon-dioxide emissions by at least 40% before 2030.

The proposed legislation covers energy efficiency, renewable energy, the design of the electricity market, security of electricity supply and governance rules for the Energy Union, and a strategy for connected and automated mobility.

The executive body of the European Union aims to keep on modernising the EU’s economy through investment and innovation. The European Commission (EC) has stated three goals: to further promote the energy efficiency; to achieve global leadership in renewable energy and to provide a fair deal for consumers.

“These measures will equip all European citizens and businesses with the means to make the most of the clean energy transition,” according to Maroš Šefčovič, the EC vice-president for Energy Union.

In the investment package, the EC promised it will improve conditions and give incentives for investments in the grids, new generation, housing and industry. The bloc plans to create about 400,000 new jobs, reduce gas imports by 12%, saving EUR 70 billion in fossil fuel import bills. The EC estimated the combined effects would add EUR 130 billion to the economy and reduce health damage costs by EUR 8.3 billion, also saving over 30,000 lives each year.

The Commission plans to push for more investments in renovation of buildings, which account for 40% of energy consumption in the EU. The Smart Finance for Smart Building initiative should promote investments, growth and jobs in the field of energy efficiency and renewables. This can further help create a market valued between EUR 80 billion and EUR 120 billion. The EC promised to pull up to 3.2 million households out of energy poverty thanks to energy savings and lower energy bills.

More renewable energy sources are needed in transport, and the new measures would boost usage of advanced bio-fuels, electricity, hydrogen and renewable synthetic fuels. “Investments in renewables have dropped in the EU by more than half since 2011. We now account for only 18% of global total investment,” noted Miguel Arias Cañete, the Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy. That is in stark contrast with the EU’s plans to become a global leader in renewable energies.

“The EU has a target to achieve a share of at least 27% renewables in final energy consumption by 2030, which includes a 50% share of renewable electricity,” said Miguel Arias Cañete.

The innovation efforts would be supported with an easier access to a re-shaped energy market, in which consumers would have a more active role.

“All consumers across the EU will be entitled to generate electricity for either their own consumption, store it, share it, consume it or to sell it back to the market,” said the European Commission.

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

croatia vireas agency north AI energy

Meet VIREAS: new AI-powered virtual assistant for energy

22 July 2025 - The VIREAS app is an interactive platform that enables users to engage with an AI assistant on various topics related to energy

Slovenia grants renewables district heating cooling

Slovenia kicks off grants program for renewables-based district heating, cooling

22 July 2025 - Slovenia is cofunding the construction or restructuring of district heating and cooling systems using renewable energy sources

GGF grows direct lending energy transition energy security

Impact Report 2024: GGF grows direct lending, committed to energy transition, energy security

11 July 2025 - In its Impact Report 2024, Green for Growth Fund outlined powering the green transition across Southeast Europe, the Caucasus and beyond

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.