Today (6 September 2010) starts a two-day informal meeting of EU energy ministers related to the new upcoming energy efficiency plan, which the Commission is planning to present during early 2011. The first day will focus on protecting energy consumers, while the second will concentrate on energy infrastructure.

One of the more controversial issues which will also be touched upon during the discussions is whether the EU's energy efficiency goal of 20% by 2020 should be made legally binding. However, despite calls from MEPs, an agreement on binding targets seems unlikely. On another topic, Günther Oettinger, the Energy Commissioner, aims for a “clear, precise definition of what 20% higher efficiency means”, seeing as it has not yet been determined how the 20% should be measured. Currently, it appears that the EU is only reaching towards 11% energy savings in the best case scenario.

For more information please click here