Malta will soon set itself energy efficiency targets that it would have to meet by the end of this decade.
EU member states are already obliged to have energy efficiency plans in place to cut their consumption by 2020. But these are not binding so far, and in fact this will be changed with the introduction of the impending Energy Efficiency Directive.
Following months of discussions spearheaded by the Danish presidency, MEPs and member states have finally struck a deal obliging member states to lower the use of fossil energy by about 17 per cent on 2000 levels by the end of the decade.
The agreement, which has still to be rubber-stamped by member states and the European Parliament, has been dubbed by pro-environment NGOs as a “diluted” version of the original proposals. This would be the first time that member states will be obliged to follow binding rules.
The aim of the new directive is to cut EU dependency on fossil fuels, particularly through less consumption and waste.
The EU already has two other binding targets in place in this area. Member states are obliged to reduce carbon emissions by 20 per cent and to have 20 per cent of their energy produced through renewable sources by 2020. In the latter case, Malta’s target is 10 per cent.
Malta is the most fossil-fuel dependent member state in the EU, producing all its energy needs from oil.
This is set to change significantly in the coming years through a series of projects, including the installation of renewable energy facilities, including wind and solar energy farms, and an interconnector with Sicily.
According to the preliminary agreement reached between the EP and member states, the new EU-wide rules will bring forward measures to step up member states’ efforts to use energy more efficiently at all stages of the way – from the production of energy and its distribution to final consumption.
The measures include the obligation to establish energy efficiency schemes or policy measures to drive energy efficiency improvements in households, industries and transport sectors. The public sector will also have to lead by example through more energy-efficient public buildings.
Consumers will be given the right to know how much energy they consume and member states will be obliged to encourage energy audits for SMEs and households. Large companies would have to assess their energy savings possibilities.
Utility companies, such as Enemalta, will be obliged to increase efficiency in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity by about one per cent for every year.
Malta already has an energy efficiency plan aiming at a nine per cent reduction in fossil-fuel-dependent energy by 2016. But under the new rules, the plan will have to be revised, setting more ambitious targets.