As part of the temporary agreement that’s been reached with the European Parliament, the European Commission has gone on to promise to phase out the usage of fossil fuels like natural gas when it comes to heating purposes by 2040.
It is well to be noted that this agreement is outlined in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive- EPBD revisions and apparently will now need a final nod from European authorities.
With the intent of supporting the EU laws that exist at present and environmental policies that look forward to raising the use of low-carbon technologies as well as renewable energy sources across the continent, these alterations go on to set new goals when it comes to lowering energy consumption within buildings.
The new recommendations go on to include obligations when it comes to the EU member states in order to reduce primary energy usage across residences by 16% on average by 2030. By 2035, the energy usage dip will increase to a range of 20 to 22%.
It is well to be noted that the member states are free to opt as to which buildings to focus on and what steps to take, said the European Commission.
Moreover, an additional stipulation of the EPBD accord that has just been established is that each member state has to ensure that renovations to select the least efficient buildings account for 55% of the dip in energy use.
Phase-out of boilers
In the coming 17 years, the accord also puts forth plans to gradually phase out boiler usage that is powered by fuels such as natural gas or oils.
This would go on to include discontinuing the usage of financial aid so as to promote the construction of a standalone boiler that is made solely with the intention of running fossil fuels.
As per the statement from the European Commission, the directive, which happens to be altered, goes on to provide a clear legal basis across member states to set the need for heat generators based on the type of fuel that is being used, the minimum share when it comes to renewable energy that is used for heating, or greenhouse gas emissions.
Moreover, detailed strategies for striking off the use of fossil fuels in heating and cooling systems have to be outlined by EU member states. In this regard, boilers that burn fossil fuels will be completely phased out by 2040.
It is well to be noted that the updated EPBD will also have a new zero-emission standard for new residential as well as non-residential structures. It is expected that these requirements will take effect in terms of publicly held buildings on January 1, 2028, and any other types of property after two years. The alterations would ensure that there are no on-site emissions from fossil fuels when it comes to any of the structures that happen to be included in the scope. This would go on to put further emphasis when it comes to efforts to electrify heating so as to guarantee the delivery of low-carbon modifications.
Making sure that the newly constructed buildings are solar-ready will indeed go on to have a significant impact. As per the European Commission, this would also ensure that rooftop solar thermal or photovoltaic installations get installed on new construction so as to guarantee that their use becomes the norm when it comes to such structures.
Apart from this, there will be pressure so as to install solar panels in existing public as well as non-residential buildings beginning in 2027, when it is both technically as well as financially possible to do so. Such provisions will come into effect at different points in time, completely based on the type as well as the size of the building, the European Commission stated.
The intended revisions when it comes to the EPBD have been created so as to enable overall EU environmental policies; they will need formal adoption by the European Commission and European Council.
These would go on to include the ideas for the European Green Deal as well as REPowerEU, which look to ensure more energy-efficient buildings and, at the same time, move Europe toward a larger usage when it comes to lower-carbon alternatives.
The current Energy Commissioner, Kadri Simson, went on to express her optimism that the EPBD agreement would go on to speed up the efforts to increase the EU’s stock in terms of older buildings.
Enhancing building energy performance happens to be a prime requirement to achieve the aim of being climate neutral and will have a positive impact on the citizens that’s tangible, says the current energy commissioner, Kadri Simson. It is well to be noted that remodeling happens to be an investment for a more promising future. They will sure raise living standards, help individuals spend their funds elsewhere, and at the same time strengthen the economy.
