Energy Performance Advice (EPA) for housing in the Netherlands
Policy
The government encourages energy-saving measures in housing through the Energy Performance Advice (EPA). If the recommendations are followed, subsidies are given for the advice itself and the Energy Premium Scheme (or EPR subsidy) applicable to these measures is raised by 25% (this was the arrangement under the 2002 scheme). The objective of the policy is to achieve a reduction in emissions of 2 billion kg CO2 by 2010 (VROM, 1999; VROM and Novem, 2002). To achieve this objective, approximately two thirds of existing housing will have to have an EPA by 2010 and the measures to be taken must result in a reduction in energy use of 30% compared to 1995 (VROM and Novem, 2002; Jeeninga (2001).
The funding required for the implementation of the advice given comes from the revenue from the Regulatory Energy Tax (REB). A premium scheme has been introduced for energy-efficient household appliances. This is another component of the EPR. New housing and offices must meet the energy performance standard. As a result, new buildings have become increasingly efficient.
Developments
The number of dwellings for which advice has been issued is lagging slightly behind the target. Professional landlords own approximately 85% of the housing with an EPA. The number of owner-occupiers who have been given advice is much lower. Possible causes are: the voluntary nature of the scheme in combination with the fairly ambitious aim of the instrument, the time consumers are required to invest, the fact that the EPA subsidy does not cover the costs (this was, incidentally, no longer the case for 2002) and the lack of awareness of this subsidy scheme (De Jong, 2002).
References
- Jeeninga, H., M. Beeldman en P.M.G. Boonekamp (2001). EPA-woningen. Nadere invulling van de EPA-doelstelling voor woningen. Energie-onderzoek Centrum Nederland, Petten.
- Jong, de (2002). Personal communication. Novem, Utrecht.
- VROM (2002). Uitvoeringsnota Klimaatbeleid deel I - binnenlandse maatregelen. Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, The Hague.
- VROM/Novem (2002). EnergiePrestatieAdvies voor bestaande woningbouw, de resultaten voor het jaar 2001. Draft report of the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment/Novem, The Hague/Petten.
