Directive 2012/27/EU, known as the Energy Efficiency Directive, is a key piece of legislation from the European Union aimed at improving energy efficiency across member states. It sets out binding measures to help the EU reach its energy efficiency target of a 20% improvement by 2020 and lays the groundwork for further advancements in energy efficiency.

Purpose: The primary purpose of Directive 2012/27/EU is to establish a common framework for promoting energy efficiency within the EU. This directive aims to ensure the achievement of the EU’s 2020 energy efficiency target and pave the way for further energy savings beyond 2020. It seeks to reduce energy consumption, enhance energy security, and mitigate environmental impacts, particularly greenhouse gas emissions.

Requirements:

1. National Energy Efficiency Targets: Member states must set indicative national energy efficiency targets, considering the overall EU goal of a 20% improvement by 2020.
2. Energy Savings Obligations: Energy distributors or retail energy sales companies must achieve annual energy savings equivalent to 1.5% of their annual energy sales to final consumers.
3. Public Sector Role: Public bodies are required to play an exemplary role in energy efficiency. This includes the obligation to renovate 3% of the total floor area of buildings owned and occupied by central government annually to meet minimum energy performance requirements.
4. Energy Audits and Management Systems: Large enterprises must conduct energy audits at least every four years. SMEs are encouraged to implement energy management systems or conduct energy audits.
5. Metering and Billing: Accurate and frequent consumption information must be provided to final consumers. This includes the installation of smart meters and transparent billing.
6. Promotion of Efficiency in Heating and Cooling: Member states must adopt strategies to improve efficiency in heating and cooling systems, including conducting cost-benefit analyses for new or substantially refurbished infrastructure.
7. Energy Services Market: The directive promotes the development of a market for energy services and the uptake of energy performance contracting.

Applicability: Directive 2012/27/EU applies to all EU member states, which must transpose its provisions into national law. It affects a wide range of stakeholders, including:

• National and local governments, which must implement policies and strategies to meet energy efficiency targets.
• Energy companies, which have obligations to achieve annual energy savings and promote energy efficiency measures.
• Large enterprises, which must conduct regular energy audits and implement energy-saving measures.
• Public sector bodies, which are required to improve the energy performance of their buildings and operations.

By setting a comprehensive framework for energy efficiency, Directive 2012/27/EU aims to drive substantial energy savings, reduce environmental impacts, and enhance the EU’s energy security.

Directive 2012/27/EU, known as the Energy Efficiency Directive, sets forth specific evidence requirements to ensure compliance and effective implementation of its energy efficiency measures across EU member states. These requirements focus on monitoring, reporting, and verifying progress towards energy efficiency targets.

Key Evidence Requirements:

1. National Energy Efficiency Targets: Member states must set and report their indicative national energy efficiency targets. They must provide evidence of the methodologies and calculations used to establish these targets, ensuring they align with the overall EU goal.
2. Energy Savings Obligations: Energy distributors and retail energy sales companies must demonstrate annual energy savings equivalent to 1.5% of their annual energy sales. This involves providing detailed records and reports of energy savings achieved through various measures, supported by appropriate documentation and verification processes.
3. Public Sector Buildings: Public bodies are required to renovate 3% of the total floor area of buildings owned and occupied by central government annually. Evidence must include detailed records of renovations, energy performance improvements, and compliance with minimum energy performance standards.
4. Energy Audits and Management Systems: Large enterprises must conduct energy audits every four years. They must provide audit reports, including identified energy-saving opportunities and implemented measures. For SMEs, evidence of implemented energy management systems or conducted energy audits should be documented and reported.
5. Metering and Billing: Member states must ensure accurate and frequent energy consumption information is provided to final consumers. This involves maintaining records of installed smart meters, billing transparency, and measures taken to ensure consumers receive detailed consumption information.
6. Heating and Cooling Efficiency: Member states must adopt strategies to improve the efficiency of heating and cooling systems. This includes conducting cost-benefit analyses for new or substantially refurbished infrastructure and providing evidence of the analyses and implemented strategies.
7. Energy Services Market: To promote the development of a market for energy services, member states must report on policies and measures supporting energy performance contracting and other energy services. Documentation should include contracts, performance results, and market development activities.
8. Monitoring and Reporting: Member states are required to monitor and report on the implementation of the directive’s measures. This includes submitting regular progress reports to the European Commission, detailing actions taken, results achieved, and evidence of compliance with the directive’s requirements.

These evidence requirements ensure that member states and relevant stakeholders can demonstrate their commitment to and progress towards achieving the energy efficiency goals set out in Directive 2012/27/EU. They provide a transparent and accountable framework for tracking and verifying energy efficiency improvements across the EU.