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Energy Performance Buildings Directive

    Intro

    The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU/2024/1275) entered into force in all EU countries on 28 May 2024 and helps increase the rate of renovation in the EU, particularly for the worst-performing buildings in each country. Aiming to achieve a fully decarbonised building stock by 2050, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive contributes directly to the EU’s energy and climate goals.

    The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) was first adopted in 2010 (Directive 2010/31/EU), with the aim of promoting the energy efficiency and use of renewable energy in the building sector. The EPBD was revised in 2018 (Directive (EU) 2018/844), as part of the Clean Energy package, to deliver on the commitments of the Paris Agreement and the related EU climate targets for 2030.

    The provisions of the Directive are not directly applicable but must be transposed into national legislation to become effective. The Member States have until October 2025 to complete the transposition process, though specific articles have earlier transposition deadlines.

    Timeline

    Highlights

    Solar rooftop mandate

    Article 10 of the directive requires Member States to ensure that new buildings are designed to optimize their solar energy generation potential and ensure the installation of solar technologies. This article sets progressive targets beginning in 2026, applying to all new public and non-residential buildings with a usable floor area greater than 250 m². It also includes a timeline extending to 2030 for existing public buildings, with intermediate milestones in 2027, 2028, and 2029.

    National Building Renovation Plans

    Each Member State shall establish a national building renovation plan.Building renovation plans shall encompass: a roadmap with national targets and measurable indicators, including on energy poverty, an outline of the investments needs, the financing sources, and the administrative resources, thresholds for the operational GHG emissions and annual primary energy use of a new or renovated ZEB, a trajectory for the renovation of residential buildings, including the 2030 and 2035 milestones for average primary energy use in kWh/m2/year, estimate of expected energy savings and wider benefits…

    Raising Minimum Energy Performance Standards

    Member States shall ensure that minimum energy performance requirements for buildings are set with a view to at least achieving cost-optimal levels and, where relevant, more stringent reference values such as nZEB and ZEB requirements. Member States shall ensure that minimum energy performance requirements are set for building elements that form part of the building envelope and that have a significant impact on the energy performance.

    Phasing out fossil fuel boilers

    From 1st January 2025 at the latest, Member States shall not provide any financial incentives for the installation of stand-alone boilers powered by fossil fuels, except those selected before 2025.

    MS shall include a roadmap to phase out FF boilers by 2040 in their NBRPs

    One stop shops on buildings renovation

    Member States are required to establish and operate technical assistance facilities, including one-stop shops for energy performance of buildings. The one-stop-shops established pursuant article 21 of the Energy Efficiency directive may be designated to this end.

    Improved quality and accessibility of data for the energy performance of buildings

    Member States shall set up a national database for energy performance of buildings which allows data to be gathered on the energy performance of individual buildings and the national building stock overall. To facilitate drafting of local heating and cooling plans, local authorities shall have access to relevant data on energy performance of buildings on their territory, operational geographic information systems and the related databases. Member States shall make publicly available information on the share of buildings covered by EPCs and aggregated or anonymized data on the energy performance; this information shall be updated at least twice per year.

    Relevant Documentation

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