Brussels pushing energy options

The European Commission wants to introduce measures aimed at further reducing the use of fossil fuels in energy generation and switching to more environment-friendly methods.

Publishing its Second Energy Strategic Review, which seeks to address energy security and set out policy priorities for the next years, the EU executive arm also highlighted the strategic importance of offshore wind farms as the "energy power house of the next decade".

One of the environment-friendly measures proposed in the review is for car tyre manufacturers to include eco-labels on their products from 2012. Through a new directive, the Commission is proposing that tyres on sale display information on fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise performance.

Other proposals are to revise downwards the size of certain buildings that need to adhere to efficiency standards and to include the "energy performance" of houses in sales and rental documents as well as in all advertisements. It is estimated that this would generate five to six per cent in energy savings in the EU by 2020.

The Commission is also proposing to revise its directive on the "energy labelling" of household appliances to include products in industrial and commercial sectors. Also, member states would no longer be able to purchase products below certain energy performance levels.

In a separate communication, the Commission said it intended to promote the use of offshore wind energy facilities in the coming years.

The Commission said wind energy will play an essential role in meeting the EU's target for 20 per cent renewable energy by 2020 and achieving a secure, environmentally-friendly and affordable supply of energy for European citizens and businesses.