The European Union is entering a new era of energy efficiency, thanks to the recently revised Energy Efficiency Directive. All investments in the energy and other infrastructure of the European Union exceeding EUR 100 million, as well as investments in traffic exceeding EUR 175 million, will have to be planned according to the principle of energy efficiency in the first place, i.e. Energy Efficiency First. Energy consumption should be reduced by 11.7 per cent by 2030, compared to 2020 forecasts.
It is part of the 'Ready for 55' package, which refers to the EU's goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030. This entails numerous new obligations for the economy, which is why the Croatian Chamber of Commerce has launched a cycle of Fit for 55 workshops within the ESG Academy HGK. The focus of yesterday's workshop at HGK was sustainable energy since the most significant effects are expected from the decarbonisation of energy and the reduction of energy consumption, and ambitious goals are set in the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP). "It is clear to us that the transition cannot happen overnight. The process is neither simple nor cheap, nor can it be done quickly. Today, we will hear how the economic sector is coping with the ever-increasing challenges looming ahead. The focus is increasingly being placed on the importance of cyber security in energy. There will be discussions on how to create a sustainability report, along with an overview of available financial programs," said the director of the Sector for Industry and Sustainable Development of HGK Marija Šćulac. She pointed out that the second cycle of the first Croatian national tool for measuring sustainability - the HGK ESG rating completed by 400 companies last year - is underway. In the context of energy efficiency and energy consumption, HGK companies can use this tool as an internal monitoring tool to adapt to new regulations.
Robert Fabek, head of the Department for Energy and Climate Planning at the Hrvoje Požar Energy Institute, explained the role of national energy and climate plans in the new regulation. "They represent key strategic documents that guide countries towards a sustainable future. They are crucial because they enable coherent planning and implementation of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency and promote renewable energy sources. Through such plans, states can set clear goals, monitor progress and adjust strategies in accordance with international obligations," said Fabek. He pointed out that Croatia drafted the updated NECP and submitted it to the European Commission for evaluation in July 2023. Some of the key goals, such as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions outside the trading system, are in line with EU legislation, while, according to the Commission's assessment, the goals of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources still require somewhat greater ambition.
The workshop was also attended by Vesna Bukarica, head of the Energy Efficiency Department (EIHP), who informed the attendees about the news and obligations brought by the revised Directive on Energy Efficiency and the new Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings. Part of the workshop was dedicated to PPA - Power Purchase Agreement contracts, which are concluded between producers and consumers of energy from renewable sources, aggregation, cyber security, reporting on sustainability, as well as an overview of available financial programs for financing energy projects.
