Following the conclusion of the trilogue negotiations on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), the European Parliament’s ITRE Committee approved the negotiated on 15 January, ahead of the final approval by the Plenary of the European Parliament.
Liquid Gas Europe welcomes the final text, which will enable Member States, through a technology neutral approach, to choose the energy mix that best suits their domestic needs. It will also offer European consumers a broad range of energy efficiency technologies in their path toward decarbonisation, giving rural and off-grid areas throughout the EU the opportunity to fully take part in the energy transition.
Most importantly, off-grid renewable liquid gases will be considered on a par with grid-based gases and renewable electricity. This wide array of renewable options will be available to newly built or renovated Zero Emission Buildings (ZEBs).
Negotiators also agreed on a phase out of stand-alone boilers powered by fossil fuels, although the details are yet to be defined by the European Commission. As such, consumers will not be forced to undertake costly investments and renovations to have clean and efficient heating at home. Instead, current users of LPG can switch to renewable liquid gases (such as bioLPG and renewable and recycled carbon DME), either with their existing boiler or by purchasing a modern condensing boiler. This is in line with the agreement to phase out boilers that are not compatible with renewable fuels by 2040.
Following the plenary vote, Member States will have to transpose the Directive into their national laws. It will be critical that Member States uphold the EPBD’s technology neutrality by aligning their national policies with the objectives set out in the EPBD.
By allowing multiple energy vectors in future buildings and not mandating certain technologies over others, the EPBD can give rural, off-grid, and peripheral areas throughout the EU the opportunity to be an integral part of the energy transition.
