GEN – 779.00. The 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive establishes a set of binding measures to help the EU reach its 20% energy efficiency target by 2020. On 30 November 2016, the Commission proposed an update to the Energy Efficiency Directive. In this update, it proposes to revise the Primary Energy Factor from 2,5 (as currently set) to 2,0. The proposed value could prove beneficial for a certain family of heating products, but how about for other ones?

Focussing on energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective ways to support the transition towards a low-carbon economy and to create growth, employment and investment opportunities.

The Primary Energy Factor (PEF), as defined in the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), is an objective tool reflecting the efficiency and the energy mix of the electricity system.

Within the November 2016 Clean Energy Package, the EU Commission has proposed an update to the EED. This update proposes, inter alia, a revision of the PEF from 2,5 to 2,0.

The PEF value could drive the market of heating solutions. A certain value of PEF could encourage the electric-heating products and could discourage the gas-heating product market.

In this respect, the European Associations Cogen Europe, EFIEES and Eurogas have distributed to the Council of the European Union a Joint Letter asking for a different revised value of the PEF: 2,3 instead of the proposed 2,0.

It must be pointed out that the PEF is also used in the EU Energy Labelling and Ecodesign Legislations. This has been done in order to enable the comparison of different heating products using different fuels. According to the Joint Letter mentioned above, the proposed value of PEF would result in keeping appliances on the market, which are planned to be phased out as of September 2017 according to Ecodesign Regulation 813/2013.

The above-mentioned European Associations are also advocating the use of the PEF in the EED only.

Recommended Actions

Eurovent members are recommended to have a reflection on the proposed value of PEF and, if necessary, to get in touch with their national Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).

Please do not hesitate to share your views on this issue with us so that we can ensure to represent your opinion in the best possible manner in front of European Union decision-makers.

Related documents and links

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1399375464230&uri=CELEX:32012L0027

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1485938766830&uri=CELEX:52016PC0761