Ricardo-AEA launches Energy Efficiency advice service
In 2012, the EU created an Energy Efficiency Directive to help European countries reach a 20% energy efficiency target by 2020. As part of the Directive, large companies will need to comply with each individual Member States’ interpretation of Article 8 of the Directive. In a move to prepare businesses for the compliance deadline in December 2015, Ricardo-AEA has launched an energy efficiency advice service.
Energy Efficiency Directive
The Energy Efficiency Directive is a 2012 agreed upon binding measure aimed at helping EU countries reach their 20% energy efficiency target by 2020. The Directive sets all countries on the path toward using energy more efficiently throughout the whole of their energy chains – from production to consumption.
Article 8 of the Directive pertains to the requirement that energy audits be carried out, with the purpose of obtaining adequate knowledge of the energy consumption profile of a premises as well as identifying and quantifying cost-effective energy saving opportunities. In the UK this is a requirement for large companies employing more than 250 people or having an annual turnover or balance sheet value exceeding pre-set limits, with all companies needing to comply with the Directive – or the relevant National interpretation of the Directive – by 5 December 2015.
To assist large companies be fully abreast on how different Member States are implementing Article 8 of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive and what requirements their businesses need to meet, consulting firm Ricardo-AEA has launched an energy efficiency advice service. The Alerts service will provide companies the essential information about energy efficiency compliance delivered straight to their inbox, in monthly updates with regard to changes to compliance policies in countries relevant to their operations – as well as providing information about the steps required to ensure their activities are fully compliant.
Paul Maryan, Managing Consultant at Ricardo-AEA, explains: “We are fast approaching the deadline for businesses to demonstrate compliance with Article 8. While the UK has set out its interpretation of Article 8 within its Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), many EU Member States have yet to prepare their national response to the Directive. This doesn’t give organisations with operations across Europe a lot of time to understand the still emerging national interpretations and ensure local compliance.”
Assistance scheme
For Ricardo-AEA, this is the second assistance scheme launched in a short period of time. Just recently, the firm published a guide to help least developed countries prepare their intentions to reduce emissions under a new UN agreement; their so-called Intended Nationally Determined Contributions.
