The Energy Efficiency Coordination Group (EECG) is a regional coordination platform that steers the implementation of the Energy Community energy efficiency acquis. The Group meets generally three times per year.
The Energy Efficiency Coordination Group evolved from a Task Force to a Coordination Group with a mandate granted for an unlimited period of time due to the challenges ahead. The Energy Efficiency Task Force was the first task force to be established by the Ministerial Council in 2007 (3rd MC conclusions).
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Tasks and composition
Tasks, and composition
The Group brings together representatives of
- ministries and agencies in charge of energy efficiency from Contracting Parties and Observer countries;
- the European Commission; and,
- the donors community (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank, KfW, Open Regional Fund for South East Europe Energy Efficiency, EU4ENERGY, etc.).
The key task of the Energy Efficiency Coordination Group (EECG) is to facilitate the transposition of energy efficiency acquis into national legislation and support their effective implementation in practice. In parallel, the EECG plays an important role as an initiator, coordinator and implementation partner of diverse regional technical assistance and investment programmes.
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Document Name Published on 06.08.2022- Work Program
Work Program
The Work Program 2021-2022 focuses on the implementation of key requirements of the energy efficiency directives in the Energy Community, in particular on
- Energy Efficiency Directive, that the Energy Community adopted in 2015, including the new, amending Directive (EU) 2018/2002 from 11 December 2018;
- Energy efficiency in buildings, with particular focus on renovations;
- Energy labelling and ecodesign;
- Horizontal and cross-cutting issues.
It continues the work undertaken under the Work Programme 2019-2020 and follows example of EU Concerted Actions to support the effective implementation of energy efficiency directives. It may also include other activities rising from the extension of the Treaty and will promote stronger involvement of new Contracting Parties and candidate countries.
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Document Name Published on 18.03.2021- Energy efficiency acquis
Energy efficiency acquis
It is the task of the Energy Efficiency Coordination Group is to facilitate the transposition of energy efficiency acquis into national legislation and support their effective implementation in practice.
The first energy efficiency acts were incorporated into the Energy Community acquis in 2009. To stay on track with the evolution of European Union law, ten further Ministerial Council decisions have expanded, replaced and repealed the legal framework. The table below lists the energy efficiency acquis in force.
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Document Name Published on 06.06.201706.06.201707.06.201707.06.201707.06.201707.06.201707.06.201707.06.201707.06.201729.01.201929.01.201906.02.201913.02.201905.03.201905.03.201908.03.201906.05.201931.01.202331.01.202331.01.202331.01.202331.01.2023- Heating and Cooling Network
Heating and Cooling Network Platform
In September 2020, the Secretariat announced the launch of its online Heating and Cooling Network platform, which aims to support the deployment of more renewables and waste heat in the district heating networks of the Contracting Parties.
Benefits from getting involved:
- The Network facilitates exchanges of good practice and information sharing on modern technologies, policies and support programmes among technical experts and policy-makers.
- The Networks inform the public at large about the benefits of renewables and waste heat in district heating networks.
- The Network members may act together to apply for technical and financial support from different European programmes, donors and financial institutions.
The Secretariat invites all interested district heating operators, regulatory bodies, central and local government experts, donors and financial institution to join the network free of charge. In case you would like to become a member of a thematic Group, post information and participate in debates, please register.
Why the focus on district heating?
District heating and cooling presents untapped opportunities to improve energy efficiency and savings and, if based on renewables, can contribute to mitigating climate change and meeting international obligations under the Paris Agreement. It stands to become a significant component of the transition to a smart integrated energy system, used alongside renewable energy solutions such as geothermal, large scale heat pumps, biomass or solar thermal in the district heating networks.
In the Western Balkans, space heating and hot water supply alone account for 43% of total energy consumption, and an alarming 97% of it is based on fossil fuels. In Ukraine, space heating and hot water supply account for approximately 60% of total energy consumption, 35% - 40% of which is supplied by district heating but only 7% is based on renewable energy.
- Database on biomass based heating
Database on biomass based heating
At the Group's meeting in March 2020, the Secretariat unveiled the new online database on biomass-based heating, now integrated into the Energy Community public website.
The initiative aims to increase awareness about sustainable and efficient use of biomass. It features guidance for policy-makers to increase the use of biomass for heating in a sustainable manner as well as numerous public awareness raising materials, including best practice examples and policies across Europe and easy to download brochures and other materials.
With the support of the Secretariat, the World Bank completed a study on biomass heating in Western Balkans in October 2017. The new biomass database now displays the key deliverables of the project. All information is available in seven languages, Albanian, Bosnian, Croatian, English, Macedonian, Montenegrin and Serbian.