On September 17, 2020, the European Parliament adopted the report on maximizing the energy efficiency potential of the EU building stock, a decision that was saluted by Bioenergy Europe. Modern bioenergy technologies can provide efficient, renewable, and cost-competitive heating solutions at a small or large scale.
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The adopted text underlines the need for increasing the energy efficiency of buildings in order to achieve climate neutrality in 2050. In terms of energy consumed by buildings, heating and cooling represent by far the biggest part.
According to Bioenergy Europe, that is why the efforts, especially within the upcoming Renovation Wave strategy, should not only include the insulation of buildings, but also the modernization of the heating stock.
Therefore Bioenergy Europe says it welcomes the holistic approach of the report, in particular:
- the reference to district heating and on-site and nearby renewable energy in heating and cooling, as part of integrated renovation programmes (IRPs);
- the call on the European Commission to implement a “scrapping schemes for fossil fuel heating devices and inefficient appliances when replaced by an individual or collective renewables-based heating;
- the idea of one-stop-shops for information, advice, and financing to reach citizens, who are looking for solutions to upgrade their heating systems, and;
- the acknowledgment of the importance of communities in fighting energy poverty.
Modern bioenergy technologies can provide efficient, renewable, and cost-competitive heating solutions at small or large scale – in dedicated plants and combined heat and power (CHP) as part of district heating systems – for residential and industrial uses.
Today’s modern equipment ensures that emissions to the atmosphere will be far less important compared to older appliances.
As two sides of the same coin, higher penetration of renewables in the heating sector and increased energy efficiency are both necessary in achieving climate neutrality, remarked Jean-Marc Jossart, Secretary-General, Bioenergy Europe.