Fit For 55

AT A GLANCE
Plenary – September 2022
Fit for 55 package: Energy Efficiency Directive

The September 2022 plenary session will debate a report from the Committee for Industry, Research and Energy
(ITRE) on the Commission's proposal to recast the Energy Efficiency Directive, as part of the 'fit for 55' package.
The vote on the report will set Parliament's position for trilogue negotiations with the Council.
Background
The European Commission adopted the 'fit for 55' package in July 2021, with the aim of adapting existing EU
climate and energy legislation to meet the new EU objective of a minimum 55 % reduction in greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions by 2030, as required under the European Climate Law. The 'fit for 55' package includes a
recast of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), reworking its provisions to deliver greater energy savings. The
existing EED is largely designed around the target of a 40 % reduction in GHG emissions by 2030.
European Commission proposal
The Commission proposed a recast EED in July 2021 that would require Member States to almost double
their annual energy savings obligations (ESOs) from 2024 onwards, make exemplary efforts with binding
targets in the public sector, address energy poverty, and pursue other actions to deliver a collectively
binding obligation of 9 % more energy savings than envisaged under existing EU legislation. As part of the
REPowerEU plan (May 2022) to address the energy crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the
Commission proposed a targeted amendment of the EED that would require 13 % more energy savings by
2030, setting upper limits on final and primary energy consumption of 750 and 980 Mtoe respectively.
Council position
The Council of the EU adopted a general approach in June 2022 that supports the original targets proposed
by the Commission in July 2021: upper limits on final and primary energy consumption of 787 Mtoe and
1023 Mtoe respectively. National contributions would remain indicative (non-binding) and based
exclusively on final (not primary) energy consumption. Targets for renovating public buildings would only
become binding after four years and be limited to buildings owned by public bodies. The increase in annual
ESOs would be more gradual than in the Commission proposal, rising in steps from 1.1 % (2024-2025) to
1.5 % (2028-2030), and allowing greater flexibility in accounting between years.
European Parliament position

The ITRE committee adopted a report in July 2022 that sets more ambitious targets, equivalent to a 40 %
reduction in final energy consumption (upper limit of 740 Mtoe) and a 42.5 % reduction in primary energy
consumption (upper limit of 960 Mtoe). Member States would need to deliver binding national
contributions based on both indicators of energy consumption, and would need to meet milestones in 2025
and 2027 to ensure they are on track. The ITRE report contains more ambitious targets for the public sector
than those proposed by the Commission and the Council, covering buildings owned and rented by public
bodies. The ITRE report proposes annual ESOs of 2 % final energy consumption between 2024 and 2030, a
third higher than the Commission's proposal (1.5 %). It also provides considerably more detail on
implementing the 'energy efficiency first' principle, addressing energy poverty, monitoring energy use of
data centres, establishing 'one stop shops' on energy efficiency, and developing energy partnerships.
First-reading report: 2021/0203(COD); Committee
responsible: ITRE; Rapporteur: Niels Fuglsang (S&D, Denmark).
For further information, see our 'EU Legislation in progress'
briefing.
EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service

Author: Alex Wilson, Members' Research Service
PE 733.627 – September 2022
This document is prepared for, and addressed to, the Members and staff of the European Parliament as background material to assist them in
their parliamentary work. The content of the document is the sole responsibility of its author(s) and any opinions expressed herein should not
be taken to represent an official position of the Parliament. Reproduction and translation for non-commercial purposes are authorised, provided
the source is acknowledged and the European Parliament is given prior notice and sent a copy. © European Union, 2022 EN
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AT A GLANCE

Plenary – September 2022

Fit for 55 package: Energy Efficiency Directive

European Parliament position

EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service

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