What the new Energy Directive says about new requirements for buildings

Buildings account for a significant share of energy consumption in the EU, with 40% of total energy use and 36% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, research shows that much of this energy is wasted unnecessarily. In October 2023, the new EU Energy Efficiency Directive came into force, but despite this, awareness of the new legal requirements is still limited within the industry.

The property sector is facing a major transition in the coming years. Under the new EU Energy Directive, all new buildings will have to fulfil the requirements for zero energy buildings from 2030. In addition, new regulations for energy-efficient control systems in commercial buildings will be introduced as early as 2028, sharpening the industry’s focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.

– This places high demands on the electrical industry. As an electrical engineer or consultant, you need to understand what these changes mean and what they mean for buildings, says Rikard Nilsson, Sales Manager at Function.

Rikard Nilsson has been in the electricity industry for more than 40 years and has extensive experience of electrical products and building management. He now emphasises the importance of the Energy Directive, the benefits it brings and the need for increased knowledge.

– We’re currently wasting quite a lot of energy that we really didn’t need to use. There’s a lot we can save. We’ve been involved in projects where we’ve saved 50% of energy use in some cases. So, it can be done. But of course, this calls for other products to be used that may not have existed 20 or 40 years ago, he says.

Change is driven by EU directives

The EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive was originally introduced in 2002 and has since undergone several revisions to adapt to stricter climate targets. The latest update entered into force in 2024, and member states now have until 29 May 2026 to integrate the directive into their national legislation.

– Some countries in Europe have stricter legal standards than we have in Sweden. This means that other countries, such as Norway, have come much further in this than we have. They have a lot of buildings with built-in intelligence, which means that they have reduced their energy consumption. I think the EU has looked at this and seen that we can do the same thing. But we need to have some kind of rules because as long as you are free to build how you want, maybe those who build do it as cheaply as possible and don’t care about the property’s performance later on.

What the directive entails

The tightened rules on the energy performance of buildings aim to drive the transition to a climate-neutral economy. The ambition is to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and to achieve a zero-emission building stock by 2050.

Key requirements and timeline:

2028:

●      All new buildings must be zero-emission by 1 January.

2030:

●      Annual energy renovation rate to at least double.

●      35 million buildings to be renovated.

2050:

●      All existing buildings shall have been converted to zero emission buildings.

National roadmaps with targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050 will be developed.

– The directive thus sets out standards for the energy efficiency of buildings. The Swedish Energy Agency has calculated the best way to implement energy-efficient measures, and their calculations show that the most cost-effective and fastest way to do this is by installing smart building automation, Rikard Nilsson says.

Smart systems are the solution

Building automation involves the smart control of lighting, heating, ventilation and security to optimise energy efficiency and comfort. One of the most established systems is KNX – a global standard in building automation, with more than 500 manufacturers offering compatible products.

– If you have a system where lighting, heating and ventilation are controlled together, it becomes smarter and easier for both property owners and users. In addition, troubleshooting and maintenance will be much smoother, Rikard Nilsson explains.

Historically, cost has been a barrier for many property owners, but that is changing.

– In the early 2000s, this technology was expensive and limited. Today, we have more manufacturers, better competition and a larger market, which has pushed prices down. Building a smart home costs no more than a conventional electrical installation, sometimes even less.

Cybersecurity is another aspect that has become increasingly important. With an increasing number of connected buildings, they are also becoming more vulnerable to hacker attacks.

– Many legacy systems lack security and are easy to hack. New directives require encryption and secure connections. Suppliers who cannot guarantee this will find it difficult to survive, Rikard Nilsson says.

It is time for property owners and contractors to act. Adapting to the new regulations now will give them a big head start.

– Those who learn this in time will have plenty to do. Those who ignore the change will be overtaken. We are facing one of the biggest transitions in the electricity industry in decades, he says.

“We have a unique opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable future”
The future is all about smart, integrated and secure building systems. Rikard Nilsson sees great potential for the electricity industry to take the lead in this transition.

– We have a unique opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable future. Building automation is not just a cost-saving measure, it’s a necessity for us to meet climate goals. The electricity industry has the opportunity to be a key player in this development.

Function will be present at Elfack to spread knowledge and inspire more people to take the step towards a more energy efficient future. The question is not whether we should change, but how fast we can do it.

– Many in the industry are not aware of what actually applies. It is surprising that consultants still design solutions that do not fulfil the upcoming requirements. We see Elfack as an opportunity to spread knowledge and raise awareness, concludes Rikard Nilsson.

Secure your ticket for Elfack 2025 here, and visit Function on their stand, C02:02.