The European Parliament and the Council recently reached a provisional agreement on strengthening the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), marking a new commitment by the European Union to improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of buildings. Under the agreement, new buildings will be required to prepare for the installation of solar energy facilities to promote the use of green energy and reduce carbon emissions.
Under the revised EPBD, EU member states are required to reduce the average primary energy use of residential buildings by 16% by 2030 and further to 20-22% by 2035. The achievement of this objective would allow Member States to choose the types of buildings to target and the specific measures to be taken.
For buildings with the worst performance to be renovated, the EU requires an average reduction in primary energy use of at least 55%, although historic buildings or holiday homes can be exempted. For non-residential buildings, the revised EPBD requires 16% and 26% of the worst-performing buildings to be renovated by 2030 and 2033, respectively.
In addition, financing measures will be designed to incentivize and complement renovation efforts, especially for vulnerable groups and the worst-performing buildings. This measure aims to ensure the financial viability and accessibility of the renovation work.
European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson stressed the importance of renovating buildings, noting that it not only improves the quality of life, but also boosts the economy and helps people invest their savings elsewhere. The move is seen as an investment in a better future.
To effectively implement these measures, EU member states will develop national building renovation plans, articulate national strategies for decarbonising buildings, and address barriers to financing, training, and attracting skilled workers. At the same time, countries will also develop a national building renovation passport scheme to guide owners in a phased renovation to achieve the goal of zero emissions in buildings.
The EPBD also stipulates that new buildings must be suitable for the installation of solar PV or solar thermal systems. From 2027, existing public and non-residential buildings will be required to install solar installations.
In addition, the European Commission made a proposal to reform the design of the EU's electricity market, which was voted on in March. Rooftop solar installations were part of the discussion aimed at enhancing the effective integration of solar projects into building construction processes.
Jan Osenberg, policy advisor at SolarPower Europe, highlighted that by combining rooftop buildings with solar installations, it is possible to reduce costs and make more efficient use of limited labor resources. This will not only help reduce construction costs, but also accelerate the implementation of sustainable energy solutions.
In conjunction with the revision of the EPBD, the European Commission has also published an action plan to accelerate the rollout and improve the efficiency of the grid. These measures demonstrate that the EU is committed to achieving its carbon neutrality goals in a variety of ways, including improving building efficiency, promoting the use of solar energy, and optimizing grid management.
This interim agreement reflects the EU's commitment to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, while also opening up new opportunities for the building industry and the renewable energy market. With these measures, the EU will be better able to respond to the challenges of climate change while creating a greener and more efficient future for its member states.
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