PRESS RELEASE - 18.05.2022

Consumers will get welcome support to invest in renewables and energy efficiency measures as part of the European Commission’s REPowerEU package released today. It is a step in the right direction, but consumers will still face some practical barriers.

REPowerEU aims to massively accelerate the energy transition and shift away from Russian fossil gas. It aims to do so by supporting consumer take-up of solar panels, heat pumps and home renovations with increased energy efficiency and renewable energy targets and funding from the Recovery and Resilience Facility. It also addresses important bottlenecks such as the lack of skilled installers.

Given the urgency of the war in Ukraine and the climate crisis, Member States and local authorities should also play their role in tackling barriers consumers are facing. For instance, long permitting periods to install a solar panel or a heat pump or to renovate their homes holds consumers back. What they need is easy access to trusted advisory services which could be funded by EU countries through their post-COVID Recovery and Resilience Plans, for example.

BEUC Director General Monique Goyens commented:

“More energy efficiency and renewables are the only way to go to tackle the climate crisis and reduce our dependence on expensive Russian gas. This Package is a step in the right direction.

“Consumers will make this plan a reality, but they will still face some practical barriers at the local level. For example, today consumers often need to apply for town planning permits for solar panels, heat pumps, home renovations and, in most cases, it takes a long time for local authorities to grant authorisations. This slows or even discourages consumers from investing. The Commission recommends that they must be delivered for domestic solar panels within three months, which is an improvement. Now Member States and local authorities need to go the extra mile and greatly streamline or scrap altogether permitting for home renewables and efficiency projects. Consumers also need support through advisory services guiding them through their home improvement projects. The Commission should encourage countries to fund these ‘one-stop shop’ services through their post-COVID recovery plans.

“This shift to renewables and energy efficiency won’t happen overnight so it’s important now to ensure that households are not left in the cold if Russia cuts Europe off gas next winter. National energy regulators must ensure that gas supply to households is prioritised, as lack of energy may bring serious harm to people’s health. The Commission should ensure that energy regulators adequately protect consumers.”

Next steps
Now it’s up to EU Member States to step up and urgently implement the Commission’s proposed measures.

Read more

• BEUC’s 10-point plan to help consumers through the energy crisis

ENDS