Last updated: 5 August 2026.
Quick answer. The Energy Efficiency Directive creates a framework for promoting energy efficiency within the European Union, aiming to eliminate market barriers and overcome deficiencies that hinder efficiency in the supply and consumption of energy. It set an indicative target for the Union’s energy consumption by 2020 — a maximum of 1,474 Mtoe of primary energy or 1,078 Mtoe of final energy — and required Member States to set indicative national targets. Among its measures: the annual renovation of at least 3% of the floor area of central government buildings, energy efficiency obligation schemes for energy distributors and retailers (or alternative policy measures such as energy taxes, financial mechanisms, regulations or voluntary agreements), mandatory periodic energy audits for large enterprises, and the promotion of transparent information and training.
What is the primary objective of the Energy Efficiency Directive?
The primary objective of the Directive is to create a framework for promoting energy efficiency within the European Union. It aims to eliminate market barriers and overcome deficiencies that hinder efficiency in the supply and consumption of energy.
How is the energy efficiency target for 2020 established?
The Directive sets an indicative target for the Union’s energy consumption by 2020. This target is set at a maximum consumption of 1,474 Mtoe (million tonnes of oil equivalent) of primary energy or 1,078 Mtoe of final energy.
What role do Member States play in achieving the energy efficiency objective?
Member States must set indicative national energy efficiency targets for 2020, taking into account the measures of the Directive and other national and Union efforts to promote energy efficiency.
What measures are implemented to improve energy efficiency in public buildings?
The Directive requires Member States to renovate annually at least 3% of the total floor area of buildings owned and occupied by central government to meet minimum energy performance requirements.
What are energy efficiency obligation schemes?
These are schemes that require energy distributors and/or retail energy sales companies to achieve a cumulative end-use energy savings target by December 31, 2020.
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What alternatives exist to energy efficiency obligation schemes?
Member States may opt for other policy measures to achieve energy savings among end-users, such as energy taxes, financial mechanisms, regulations, or voluntary agreements.
What requirements are established for energy audits?
Energy audits must be mandatory and periodic for large enterprises. They must be conducted independently, following minimum criteria and considering relevant European or international standards.
How is information and training on energy efficiency promoted?
Member States must ensure that information on energy efficiency mechanisms is transparent and widely disseminated. They must also promote training and education in this field.
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Frequently asked questions
Its primary objective is to create a framework for promoting energy efficiency within the European Union. The Directive aims to eliminate market barriers and overcome the deficiencies that hinder efficiency in both the supply and the consumption of energy, and it requires Member States to set indicative national energy efficiency targets taking into account its measures and other national and Union efforts.
The Directive set an indicative target for the Union’s energy consumption by 2020: a maximum consumption of 1,474 Mtoe (million tonnes of oil equivalent) of primary energy or 1,078 Mtoe of final energy. On that basis, each Member State had to establish its own indicative national energy efficiency target for 2020, considering the measures of the Directive and other efforts to promote energy efficiency.
The Directive requires Member States to renovate annually at least 3% of the total floor area of buildings owned and occupied by central government, so that they meet minimum energy performance requirements. The public sector is thereby expected to lead by example in improving the energy performance of its building stock through this continuing renovation obligation.
They are schemes requiring energy distributors and/or retail energy sales companies to achieve a cumulative end-use energy savings target by 31 December 2020. As an alternative, Member States may opt for other policy measures to achieve energy savings among end-users, such as energy taxes, financial mechanisms, regulations or voluntary agreements, provided they deliver the required savings.
Energy audits must be mandatory and periodic for large enterprises. They must be conducted independently, following minimum criteria and taking into account the relevant European or international standards. In parallel, Member States must ensure that information on energy efficiency mechanisms is transparent and widely disseminated, and must promote training and education in this field.
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