European Commission Vice-president for the Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič (source: TASR)
“We must always apply this principle when considering new capacities and new projects,” Šefčovič said, as quoted by the TASR newswire. “First and foremost, there’s a need to consider whether we need new energy sources at all.”
The commissioner noted that the EU is the world’s biggest importer of energy paying about €400 billion for imports of energy a year.
“If we imagine that 40 percent of the energy that is consumed in the EU goes on heating and air conditioning, we know that we’re talking about a huge package of money,” Šefčovič said, as quoted by TASR. “Nevertheless, both Slovakia and the EU already have technologies that allow us to reduce energy consumption dramatically.”
According to him, each percent saved by way of energy efficiency provides scope for a reduction in imports of gas of 2.6 percent. This would translate into lower costs for consumers and also help the environment in terms of lower emissions.
“If we look at the state of buildings in the EU, we find that over 75 percent of current energy consumption in them could be significantly reduced,” Šefčovič said. “Around 35 percent of buildings in the EU are in fact more than 50 years old.”
