ROENEF: To achieve our climate objectives, Romania’s energy renovation rate should triple

The construction sector plays a central role in achieving the climate and energy objectives set by the EU EPBD Directive, approved by the European Parliament in March this year, with deadlines set for 2030 and 2050 respectively. According to the Association for the Promotion of Energy Efficiency in Buildings (ROENEF), the construction sector represents approximately 8.2% of the EU’s GDP and 10% of total employment. Regarding the energy renovation rate, it should triple for Romania to align with the directive’s deadlines.

The ROENEF Association welcomes the adoption of the report on the energy performance of buildings (EPBD) by the European Parliament and supports all the amendments adopted on March 14, 2023. The Directive provides for the establishment of an adequate regulatory, financial and indicative framework to support building renovations, the introduction of minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), an enhanced energy performance certificate (EPC) scheme, and the accelerated implementation of the zero-emission construction standard.

The representatives of the association emphasize the importance of efficiently renovating the entire stock of buildings across the EU, including Romania, which falls directly under the responsibility of players in the construction industry.

“To achieve our climate and energy objectives, the energy renovation rate should triple and aim to transform the building stock into nearly zero-energy buildings, including in Romania. Let’s not forget about the benefits in terms of quality of life, indirect savings, and job creation resulting from renovation. For every 1 million euros invested in energy renovation of buildings, an average of 18 jobs are created in the EU. Efficient renovation of office buildings increases productivity by approximately 12%, leading to a potential benefit of around 500 billion euros for the economy annually. Furthermore, efficient renovation of hospitals reduces hospitalization by 11%, producing potential savings of about 45 billion euros per year for the healthcare sector in the EU,” said Mihai Moia, Executive Director of the ROENEF Association.

In this regard, according to the ROENEF representative, Romania should focus on essential aspects such as establishing a clear roadmap for improving the energy performance of the existing building stock, developing digital technologies to accurately measure the energy performance of the building stock, measuring energy consumption for heating and cooling in the transition to decarbonized buildings. Another important measure for our country would be the implementation of unique private and public helpdesks to provide personalized guidance, as well as aligning with the action to reduce energy performance classes (EPC) and Class G to 15% of the building stock in member states.

About ROENEF

The Association for the Promotion of Energy Efficiency in Buildings – ROENEF represents a non-profit, apolitical association consisting of multinational companies such as Saint-Gobain, Rockwool, Knauf Insulation, Signify, Danfoss, VELUX Romania, Alukonigstahl, URSA, SOMFY, Schneider Electric, ALUPROF, DAIKIN, and PERI. The ROENEF Association aims to promote and support a favorable legislative framework for increasing energy efficiency in buildings, in order to achieve national and European objectives regarding carbon dioxide neutrality, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.

26.06.2023 / Andreea Dragan, Deputy-Editor-in-Chief