EU phase out of Halogen lighting
The European Commission have recently proposed that its plan to completely phase-out D-class halogen lamps by 2016 should be postponed by two years, bringing it to back to 2018. This has subsequently been agreed by EU Member States and will now go ahead. The EC have specified that by switching from halogen lamps to LED, […]
European Commission takes first step towards 2030 framework for EU climate change
The European Commission has began to consider the next step to developing a 2030 framework for EU climate change and energy policies by launching a Green Paper consultation of the content of the 2030 framework. The Green Paper will question: – The type, nature and level of climate and energy targets that should be set […]
Solar PV hit new heights in 2012, but change is ahead
In 2012 more than 31 GW of new solar PV was installed. This growth in the market came despite the economic crisis and was lead by Europe. Europe accounted for more than 70% of the new installations in 2011 and 55% in 2012. Germany installed the most in 2012, followed by China, it seems that […]
Government supports notion of lower VAT rate for green materials
The UK government is to defend lower VAT rates for insulation against a European Commission ruling that they are illegal. The reasoning behind the government’s defence is an effort to save the Green Deal from being ‘brought down’ by potentially huge cost increases for energy efficiency work driven by Europe’s demand for a quadrupling of […]
Viability of Green Deal put under threat by Brussels VAT rule
Building merchants have warned that the VAT hike by the EU Directive is threatening to hinder the success of the Green Deal and suppress the market for building materials. The European Commission has told the Government to amend UK legislation which allows a reduced VAT rate for the supply and installation of energy-saving materials such […]
Energy Roadmap 2050 states decarbonisation of European energy sector by 2050 feasible
According to the European Commission (EC), decarbonisation of the European energy sector by 2050 is technically feasible. In its energy road map 2050, the EC addresses the framework of policies that need to be put in place to achieve this without disrupting competitiveness and energy supplies. The document looks at a number of scenarios around […]