EFIEES welcomes the announcement by the European Commission of the proposal of an EU Strategy for Heating and Cooling (H&C): such a Strategy is needed because the heat/heating sector, which represents more than 45% of final energy consumption in Europe, needs appropriate frame and measures for contributing to EU energy and climate objectives. EFIEES would like to emphasise main aspects that should be taken into account by the European Commission while planning a Strategy for Heating and Cooling.
The Strategy should address all sectors producing/using heat and/or cold: housing, commerce, industry, agriculture. The conditions for a “no regret options” H&C policy are:
- Overall targets (EU, MS) for saving primary energy;
- Flexibility as a key principle for switching from current technological choices to future ones;
- While having a holistic view on the whole energy chain, specifically address demand side management.