The European Union has introduced these steps to promote energy-sustainable buildings and set an example for a greener future and a cleaner environment. The official Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) was adopted in 2002 and later revised in 2010 and 2018. In France, for example, this measure has been in place for a long time, in Spain, at least 70% of hot water consumption must be covered by renewable sources, mostly solar panels.
The goal is carbon neutrality
The new rules are intended to encourage the renovation and gradual phasing out of buildings with poor parameters to achieve zero emissions in this respect. Each member state should incorporate these rules into its national law and focus on their enforcement and compliance. However, individual steps and plans will be implemented by the member states themselves on the basis of national rules, not on the basis of a uniform format. For existing homes, the plan is to achieve an average of 3 E energy label compliance, then D, and a new measurement is planned in 2040 to see if the overall 2050 energy plan is feasible.
The European Union wants to be exemplary and independent
Before last winter, we could see a strong presence of the European Union's energy dependence on Russia. This costs taxpayers EUR 100 billion a year. The countries of the European Union could thus become more self-sufficient in this area and at the same time avoid creating a carbon footprint. In addition, the plan includes commissioning 320 GW of solar photovoltaic power by 2025 and a subsequent increase to 600 GW by 2030. The successful implementation of this vision will cost hundreds of billions of euros, but there will be savings due to the shift away from imported fuels. According to the European Union, the deployment of photovoltaics on the roofs of houses could cover up to 25% of electricity consumption on its territory and protect consumers from high prices. This would bring us closer to the 2030 target of at least 50 percent of total energy coming from renewable sources.
The plan also envisages doubling the use of heat pumps and producing 10 million tonnes of domestic hydrogen from renewable sources by 2030, as well as doubling the amount of wind power. As part of the plan, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark have committed to increase offshore wind power plant capacity tenfold.
Towards a greener future
This would move the economic situation in the European Union in an even clearer direction towards energy independence and electrification, and would build on the current trend towards the popularisation of electric cars. Promoting this type of vehicle could lead to cheaper oil, the construction of more accessible charging stations and the creation of suitable infrastructure for the wider use of electric vehicles. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has confirmed that solar systems currently offer the cheapest electricity in history and believes that they will become the world's main source of energy by 2050. Given the current climate and energy situation, the path to maximise the use of renewable solar energy is the right one, but we will have to wait some time to see the real results.
