gr 2013 01 21 - energy efficiency watch in energy efficiency policies ... questionnaires! were!...

GREECE

Country Report

SURVEY REPORT

Progress in energy efficiency policies in the EU Member States -

the experts perspective

Findings from the Energy Efficiency Watch Project 2012

Christiane Egger (O.Ö. Energiesparverband) with contributions by Reinhold Priewasser, Michaela Kloiber (University of Linz) Nils Borg (eceee), Dominique Bourges (Fedarene), Peter Schilken (Energy Cities)

*

Energy Efficiency in Europe Assessment of Energy Efficiency Action Plans and

Policies in EU Member States 2013

2

This report is one of 27 country reports published within the Energy-‐Efficiency-‐Watch project and assesses both ambition and quality of EU Member States´ energy efficiency action plans and policy implementation (see more at www.energy-‐efficiency-‐watch.org). Both, the NEEAP screening and the expert survey indicate that Greece has neither an ambitious nor an innovative energy efficiency policy. Many aspects of the policy package can still be strengthened. According to the NEEAP, the interim saving target for 2010 (2,8%) has been clearly exceeded (savings of 5.1% to 10,9% reached). However, the main reason for these energy savings is the economic recession which has hit Greece very hard during the reporting period. It is not possible to clearly separate the impact of the economic recession and the savings attributable to political measures in the second NEEAP. With regard to ESD target achievement, 45% of the experts surveyed state that the ESD target will not be reached.

The sectoral assessment of the NEEAP is as follows:

• The public sector is the only sector that has received above average rating in the NEEAP screening. It implements energy saving measures in public buildings, demonstration projects in schools or information campaigns. The Greek public sector has set the framework conditions for public procurement, has implemented several energy saving measures in public buildings, has introduced energy management systems and launched pilot projects on energy service contracting. However, the experts surveyed stated that the public sector was the sector with the greatest implementation gaps. The result of the NEEAP screening therefore differs from the experts survey in this point.

• Features of the Greek governance framework are horizontal measures, the promotion of energy services, the development of an information system to monitor energy efficiency or the consideration of different actors.

• Greece has furthermore set minimum energy performance standards for buildings. These are complemented by economic and financial support and energy performance certificates. Innovative systems in buildings are planned to be demonstrated on the basis of voluntary agreements. The NEEAP does not mention audits or buildings specific advice. Furthermore, buildings specific information campaigns as well as education and training for professionals of the buildings sector are not mentioned.

• Energy efficient appliances are mainly promoted through EU legislation: The Directives on Ecodesign and energy labelling have been transposed and are the core of the Greek policy package. Some information tools have been developed on national level.

• Likewise energy efficiency in industry is promoted mainly through Ecodesign and energy labelling requirements. In addition, excise duties for gas and electricity are set above the minimum rate. A programme for the development of green business parks has furthermore been established.

• The policy package for transport focuses on financial incentives for the renewal of the vehicle fleet. It is accompanied by investments in public transport and non-‐motorized transport.

The ambition of the Greek policy framework is medium, and large potentials remain untapped. Improvements could be the following: • It is advised to strengthen most of the aspects of the policy package for appliances, in particular economic incentives and education, and training for retail staff could be established.

• The overall strategy of the public sector is not described. Targets for the energy consumption of public buildings have not been set either.

• As to industry, it is advisable to promote obligations/commitments to energy management and energy audits and to set economic incentives as well as energy saving targets.

• In view of better connecting the measures in the transport sector, it is recommanded to adress more the residential sector as potential user of public transport, bikes and pedestrian paths by means of campaigns and financial incentives. In this context, it is advised to push vehicle users to use other modes of transport by a stronger regulation.

Introd

uctio

n Sectoral Assessm

ent

Conclusion

s Summary Assessment

3

long-‐term strategy

other actors involved

energy-‐agencies

coordina^on/financing

energy services

horizontal measures

MRV

Public Sector

Comprehensiveness of policy package

Long-‐term EE target(s) and strategy

• No long-‐term targets mentioned;

• Reference to EU targets for 2020

Involvement of non-‐governmental and market actors, and sub-‐national authorities

• Municipalities, ESCOs and a research institute are part of the strategy

Energy agencies and climate protection agencies • Energy agencies are not mentioned

EE mechanisms for overall coordination and financing

• A green fund has been established;

• Financing is also available through other programmes

Favourable framework conditions for energy services

• Framework conditions have been adopted;

• Details of energy performance contracts have been regulated and a standard contract will be published

Horizontal measures • Support for R&D; Voluntary agreements between the public and private sector for energy saving in commercial buildings planned

Monitoring, reporting and verification

• Top-‐down method used for quantification of most savings;

• Attempt to take account of impact of economic recession

Overarching Energy Efficiency Governance Framework


Public sector strategy • No strategy for the public sector outlined;

• Promotion of integrated energy planning of municipalities

Role model, transparency, and demonstration

• Information campaigns;

• Demonstration of energy efficient buildings;

• Promotion of energy efficiency in schools

Public procurement • Establishment of an office to coordinate and implement public procurement;

• Requirements have been set for some appliances

Public buildings

• Energy management systems are used;

• Pilot projects on energy efficiency in buildings and energy service contracting;

• No targets mentioned;

Adequacy of policy package • Different actors have been considered;

• Supply and demand side are partly addressed;

• The saving potentials are partly considered

Screening of the NEEAP

public sector strategy

role model

public procurement

public buildings

adequacy of package

4

MEPS

other regulaôns

financing instruments

EPCs

informaôn

demonstraôn

adequacy of package

economic incen^ves

advice and audits

educaôn and training

MEPS

economic incen^ves

energy labels

informaôn tools

educaôn and training

adequacy of package


Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) • The Ecodesign Directive has been implemented

Economic incentives • Not mentioned

Energy labels • The energy labelling Directive has been implemented

Information tools

• Smart meters are promoted; • The Public Power Corporation is obliged to provide information on energy efficient appliances

Education and training for retail staff and other supply chain actors

• Not mentioned

Adequacy of policy package

• The policy package is based on the implementation of EU requirements; Most aspects of the policy package could be strenghtened

Residential Sector -‐ Appliances

Residential Sector -‐ Buildings Comprehensiveness of policy package

Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS)

• MEPS have been established; • No roadmap for tightening of MEPS

Other regulations • The issuance of a buildings permit is linked to the requirement that 60% of the needs for domestic hot water is covered by solar thermal systems

Economic incentives

• Financial support is available for energy saving measures in old buildings; Support is granted for central solar thermal systems and the replacement of old air-‐conditioners

Financing instruments • Low interest loans, reduced VAT and grants are available for the installation of central solar thermal systems

Energy performance certificates (EPCs)

• Energy performance certificates are mandators for all buildings (>50m2) that undergo a complete renovation; Energy performance certificates are also mandatory for existing buidings when they are sold or leased, and for all buildings of the public sector

Energy advice and audits • Not mentioned

Information tools • Several information and education campaigns are mentioned; Not clear whether these address the buildings sector

Demonstration projects

• Innovative systems in buildings are planned to be demonstrated on the basis of voluntary agreements;

• Upgrading of four industrial buildings to nearly zero energy buildings

Education and training for stakeholders • Not mentioned

Adequacy of policy package • Potentials are considered; • Policy package is rather balanced

5

standards

ES&A targets

economic incen^ves

tradable permits

energy labelling

adequacy of package

obligaôns

energy taxaôn

planning instruments

regulatory instruments

economic incen^ves

informaôn

R&D support

adequacy of package


Standards for equipment, production process, products • The Ecodesign Directive has been implemented

Energy savings and action targets for individual companies • Not mentioned

Obligations / commitments

• According to the MURE database voluntary agreements in the industrial sector are promoted;

• Companies wishing to participate will have to agree on action plans to reduce energy consumption

Economic incentives • Not mentioned

Tradable permits • Only EU ETS

Energy or CO2 taxation • Excise duty for natural gas and electricity above minimum rate

Energy labelling • EU energy labelling regulation

Other sectors • Several measures in the agricultural sector.

Adequacy of policy package • The supply and demand side of energy efficiency markets have been addressed

Industry and Tertiary Sector


Planning instruments

• Concrete measures to support public transport and non-‐motorised transport (e.g. urban mobility plans) have been set up

• The integrated energy planning of municipalities partly also addresses mobility

Regulatory instruments • Only public procurement mentionned

Economic incentives • Tax incentives are available

• Mainly due to EU

Information and advice • Information campaigns and trainings promote eco-‐driving

R&D support • Not mentioned

Adequacy of policy package • Potentials considered

• The policy mix has a strong focus on road vehicles (e.g. no awareness campaign on public transport)

Transport Sector

6

In 2011 and 2012, Energy-‐Efficiency-‐Watch conducted a quantitative and qualitative survey with national experts on implementation of energy efficiency policies in EU Member States.

Only a low percentage of respondents deem that the Greek policy is generally ambitious (8%, 30 questionnaires were completed for Greece) while 44% of the respondents think that the Greek energy efficiency policy is ambitious in at least a few sectors and 24% consider the ambition as generally low. More than 60% believe that the ESD target will not be achieved or, if achieved, will not lead to much savings. With regard to the progress made since the last NEEAP, around half of the respondents consider that good progress was made while the other half of the respondents consider that only little progress was made. The most important gap in energy efficiency policies was identified in the public sector (by more than 40% of the respondents, this is the highest score for the public sector in all Member States). The biggest single barrier to energy efficiency is financing according to 60% of the experts.

The economic crisis had a significant impact on Greece. The surveyed experts observe that the related reduction in service and industrial output as well as a need for general cost reductions led to a decrease in energy consumption. As an effect of the crisis, however, more use is also made of public transport. Access to finance and investments has become very difficult.

With regard to the public sector experts stated that funding for demonstration projects exists, including educational buildings and energy contracting. Some incentives were set for energy efficient public transport and bike lanes were built. CRES, a national enitity for the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy, has seen important budget cuts.

On the residential sector experts report that strict regulations are in place for new buildings which seem to be well received. Furthermore, a funding programme for building refurbishment was set up.

Among specific energy efficiency policy instruments energy audits and energy efficiency funds are seen as the most effective.

Findings from the Expert Survey

24%

44%

24%

8%

Greece: overall ambiUon of the energy efficiency policies

generally, rather low

ambiôus in a few sectors, less so in most others

ambiôus in a range of sectors, less so in a few others

generally, rather high

45%

18%

18%

3%

16%

Greece: achievement of naUonal energy savings target

target will not be achieved

target will be achieved but will not lead to a lot of addiônal savings target will probably be achieved

target will certainly be achieved

not aware of energy savings target

7

Greece succeeded in establishing a good policy framework for the public sector which can be seen as good practice example. Greece is strong setting a role model through information campaigns, demonstration of energy efficient buildings, and promoting of energy efficiency in schools. As well measures for public procurement and public buildings are good. The buildings sector shows balanced results. Apart of advice & audits and education & training which are not mentioned all measures except one are balanced and could be improved. Demonstration objects are very good integrated and do not need improvement. Good practice examples could be derived using following NEEAPs. Germany can be used as a good practice example concerning information, finance & incentives and governance framework. Minimum energy performance standards are in place for new and existing buildings undergoing major renovations. There is also a regular strengthening of targets and obligations. France is a good example for enforcement mechanisms. An official Energy Performance Certificate is issued in Ireland for each home which receives and energy upgrade detailing all energy efficiency measures carried out on the house. Energy performance certificates are also mandatory in Germany at time of sale or lease and contain improvement recommendations. Other measures as the Act on the Promotion of Renewable Thermal Energy have additional impact on energy efficiency. Through the promotion programmes of the state-‐owned KfW bank, economic incentives in form of either direct grants or low-‐interest loans for EE in buildings are available for both single measures and comprehensive retrofits as well for new construction. Luxembourg is a good practice example for a comprehenisve offer of training and education of professionals of the buildings sector. The appliances sector is both for Greece and cross-‐country one of the weakest sectors. Nevertheless some good practices can be found in the NEEAPs as well. Information for instance is provided through labels that uses standards and therefore give orientation which can be found in the Netherlands. As well information centres, websites and web based tools e.g. for calculating energy savings provide help and orientation. Those can be found in the Netherlands and especially in France. Concerning the governance framework the implementation of the Ecodesign Directive on national level can be seen as first step. In France there is additionally a co-‐operation with the lighting trade union to remove the least efficient products from the market. Financial incentives that target businesses are available in the Netherlands. Incentives are for instance energy investment allowances and tax rebates for purchase of energy efficient equipement. A tax incentive is also provided by Ireland. The corresponding list of efficient equipment is also used used as a best practice list by public bodies for public procurement. This instrument thus links public and private sector purchases and creates a greater market for the eligible energy efficient products. R&D funding (Energy Research Subsidy) is available for energy saving technologies but it is not clear whether the subsidy will be available also in future.

Good Practice Examples

10%

45%

15%

15%

10%

5%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

residen^al sector

public sector

industry & service sector

transport sector

energy sector

others/ comment

Greece: the most important gap in energy efficiency policies

Disclaimer The sole responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EACI nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. The analysis performed here is based almost exclusively on the information provided in the NEEAPs. Consequently, a low score for any of the criteria analysed could also be the result of a NEEAP lacking detailed information. The purpose of this assessment is not an absolute ranking among Member States but is focusing on each Member State’s individual conditions.

Photography Credits: PhotoDisc, iStock, www.openclipart.org

The Project In 2006, the European Union adopted the Directive on energy end-‐use efficiency and energy services ("ESD"). The Directive sets an indicative energy saving target of 9 % by 2016 as well as obligations on national authorities regarding energy savings, energy efficient procurement and the promotion of energy efficiency and energy services. It requires Member States to submit three National Energy Efficiency Action Plans (NEEAPs), scheduled for 2007, 2011 and 2014.

The Energy-‐Efficiency-‐Watch Project aims to facilitate the implementation of the Energy Service Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive. This Intelligent Energy Europe project tried to portray the progress made in implementation of energy efficiency policies since the Energy Service Directive via NEEAPs screening and an extensive EU wide expert survey.

www.energy-‐efficiency-‐watch.org

The Authors Ralf Schüle, Thomas Madry, Vera Aydin, Jonas Fischer, Jan Kaselofsky, Thorsten Koska, Carolin Schäfer-‐ Sparenberg, Lena Tholen (Wuppertal Institute) Daniel Becker, Nikolas Bader (Ecofys) Christiane Egger (O.Ö. Energiesparverband)

with contributions by Reinhold Priewasser, Michaela Kloiber (University of Linz) Nils Borg (eceee), Dominique Bourges (Fedarene), Peter Schilken (Energy Cities)

List of Abbreviations EE – Energy Efficiency, EED – Energy Efficiency Directive, EPC – Energy Performance Certificates, EPDB – Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, ES&A Targets -‐ Energy Savings and Action Targets, ESCO – Energy Service Company, ESD – Energy Service Directive, EU – European Union, EEW – Energy-‐Efficiency-‐Watch, MEPS – Minimum Energy Performance Standards, MRV – Monitoring, Reporting and Verification, MURE – Mesures d’Utilisation Rationelle de l’Energie, NEEAP – National Energy Efficiency Action Plan, R&D – Research and Development

gr 2013 01 21 - energy efficiency watch in energy efficiency policies ... questionnaires! were!...

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