Estonian Owners' Association: EU's energy efficiency ambition unrealistic

TALLINN - The Estonian Owners' Association finds the energy efficiency targets planned by the European Union overly ambitious and says it is impossible to implement them in their planned volume.

An amendment by the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is to be put to the vote on Tuesday. It is the central directive of the EU's "Fit for 55" package, the purpose of which is to render Europe climate neutral by 2050. Pursuant to the committee's proposal, all buildings in Europe, regardless of the quality of the present building stock, should achieve level D energy efficiency by 2033.

The Estonian Owners' Association calls on Estonian MEPs to carefully weigh all the requirements for homeowners stemming from the directive before casting their vote.

"The requirement concerns around 45 to 50 percent of the building stock in all countries. Considering the recommended exceptions and adjustments, it would mean in practice that around 40 percent of the total building stock in the EU would have to be renovated already by 2033. Putting it into Estonia's context, it would mean that 350,000 homes, apartment buildings and housing units would have to be renovated within 10 years," the association said in its letter to Estonian MEPs.

The association points out that, according to the European Commission, additional investments of around 275 billion euros are needed every year to double the renovation rate presented in the renovation strategy.

"To achieve the European Parliament's ambition, we should at least triple the actual renovation rate, which would mean 350-400 billion euros per year," it said.

The Owners' Association requests that Estonian MEPs weigh their arguments before casting their vote.

"We understand that you may not be directly or personally involved in this issue, but we encourage you to consider these requirements very carefully as the final vote approaches. Taking into account the said arguments, we hope that you will have the opportunity to carefully review the draft before the vote on March 14," the representative of the association noted.