The UK has been ranked as one of the worst EU member states for energy efficiency by a European watchdog assessing national progress over the last three years.
The Energy Efficiency Watch (EEW) project surveys experts within each member state every three years on the progress of their country towards the European Union target of saving 20% of its primary energy consumption by 2020.
The most recent report, covering 2012-15, shows that the UK dropped from 13 to 27, beating only Spain.
Over 140 UK representatives were questioned about the country’s energy efficiency efforts and identified a low overall level of policy ambition. More than 80% judged that the UK had made “relatively little progress in energy efficiency policies” over the three years preceding the survey period in the first half of last year as a result.
The main concern expressed by the experts was that “present policy and decision makers do not see energy efficiency as an opportunity”, focusing instead on supply side policies.
This has long been a concern of members of the energy efficiency sector, with Sandy Abrahams of Lux Nova using almost the exact same words at the Clean Energy News energy management roundtable earlier this year.
“Energy efficiency is simply seen as a cost that is added to a whole number of business running costs. It’s not seen as an opportunity or a business investment,” she said.
Respondents to the EEW also expressed concerns about the lack of a systematic approach in energy efficiency policies, with particular reference made to building renovation. Among all Member States, the UK experts see the lowest level of progress in building renovation. They therefore call for more systemic incentives to generate demand for energy efficiency in both the residential and service sectors.
However, there was some progress recorded on behalf of the UK policy landscape. While it is still lagging behind, UK experts felt some progress was being made to implement the energy performance of buildings (EPBD) directive.
This stipulates that all new buildings should be nearly zero-energy by 2020 which until last year the UK would have fallen in line with under existing zero carbon homes policy. Despite this being scrapped, the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) confirmed to Clean Energy News in December that the NZEB standards will be written into 2020’s building regulations.
There was also approval of minimum energy efficiency standards being imposed on both non-domestic and domestic private rented sectors, which will mean any properties rated lower than an EPC of E will not be allowed to be leased to either a new or existing tenant.
While the survey was conducted prior to the outcome of last year’s General Election, a number of energy efficiency policies – zero carbon homes, the green deal – have been scrapped since May. The changes have left energy efficiency with just the current energy company obligation scheme (ECO) in place to grow domestic measures. However, this scheme is being restructured for 2017 and will target substantially fewer homes.
With new initiatives yet to be announced, there is general consensus among both political and industry figures that energy efficiency policy is failing.
This belief was reflected by representatives from all member states, who concluded that policy instruments like smart metering, energy taxation and energy audits for companies were not effective – all of which are currently UK policy.
Energy efficiency requirements on new and renovated buildings and energy labelling on products were deemed to be the more effective. However questions have emerged in recent months regarding the legitimacy of energy performance claims in the EU, suggesting this judgement could be different under current circumstances.
In response to the report, a DECC spokesperson said: “This government is clear about its priority to deliver secure, affordable and clean energy. As part of this, we require energy suppliers to improve the energy efficiency of people’s homes whilst keeping energy bills low.
“Since 2010, we’ve strengthened energy performance requirements ensuring new buildings are 30% more energy efficient. We’ve also given more rights to private renters who want to see energy efficiency improvements in their home.”
The next EEW report will be expected in the summer of 2017, when the performance of the current majority government will be under scrutiny.
