District heating sector joins Coalition for Energy Savings in putting energy efficiency first

Brussels, 27 April 2015 – Euroheat & Power, which unites the Combined Heat and Power, District Heating and Cooling sector throughout Europe and beyond, has joined the Coalition for Energy Savings as its 27th member.

"If its broader climate and energy ambitions are to be realised, Europe must reduce its primary energy demand and shift to a system based on renewables and efficiency. A combination of smart thermal networks in cities and individual renewable driven solutions in rural areas can help make this a reality", said Paul Voss, Managing Director of Euroheat & Power. “Energy efficiency in particular is at the heart of our sector’s vision for the future, and we are therefore delighted to join the Coalition and give our support to the notion of Energy Efficiency First as a guiding principle of the Energy Union”, he added.

"Despite the many good reasons for investing in energy efficiency in Europe, in terms of jobs, growth and environmental protection, it will not take place at large scale if it remains an afterthought in decisions on the energy system. Together with Euroheat & Power, the Coalition will reinforce its efforts to put Energy Efficiency First and ensure that Europe's full energy savings potential is reached", added Stefan Scheuer, Secretary General of the Coalition for Energy Savings.

European Commission’s Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič and Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete have been promoting “Energy Efficiency First” as the motto for the Energy Union. The Coalition for Energy Savings will host a conference on 6 May 2015 investigating this concept further.