The Energy Efficiency Directive aims to achieve a sustainable energy supply, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen security of supply, reduce energy import costs and strengthen Europe's competitiveness. The exchange of information on overall energy efficiency and the building sector should be climate-neutral by 2050. The overarching principle is ‘energy efficiency first’ - EE1st. Before making decisions on planning, policies and investments, EU member states must check whether cost-effective and technically, economically and environmentally viable energy efficiency solutions can be found without jeopardising the targets. The new Energy Efficiency Directive extends the scope of application beyond the energy sector to other sectors such as buildings, transport, water, etc. There is also a significant expansion and concretisation with regard to specific requirements for action.
Another focus is on reducing energy poverty. The EU countries are obliged to prioritise energy efficiency improvements for vulnerable customers. Part of the energy savings in each EU country must be made by those customers. The scope of energy audit obligations will be extended to all companies that consume energy above a certain threshold, regardless of their size. EU countries are obliged to report in order to ensure transparency and accountability. An obligation to monitor and report on the energy performance of data centres will also be introduced.