Deadline approaches: New building requirements from May 2026

The real estate sector accounts for a significant share of the EU’s energy consumption. At the same time, research shows that a large amount of energy is wasted unnecessarily. In October 2023, the EU’s new Energy Efficiency Directive entered into force, yet awareness of the new legal requirements remains low within the industry. New regulations apply from May 2026!

The real estate sector is facing major changes. Under the EU’s revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, all new buildings must meet the requirements for zero-emission buildings by 2030. As early as 2028, requirements for energy-efficient control systems in commercial buildings will be introduced, further sharpening the industry’s focus on sustainability and energy performance.

“This puts high demands on the electrical industry. As an electrical engineer or consultant, you need to understand what these changes mean and how they will affect buildings,” says Rikard Nilsson, Sales Manager at Function, who participated at Elfack in May.

With over 40 years in the electrical sector, Nilsson has extensive experience with electrical products and building management systems. He emphasizes the importance of the directive, the positive impact it can bring, and the need for greater knowledge.

“We waste a lot of energy today that we simply don’t need to use. There is so much to save. We’ve been involved in projects where we reduced energy consumption by as much as 50% in some cases. So it’s absolutely possible. But of course, it requires installing products that didn’t exist 20 or 40 years ago,” he explains.

A Transformation Driven by EU Directives

The EU’s directive on the energy performance of buildings was first introduced in 2002 and has since undergone several revisions to align with stricter climate goals. The latest update entered into force in 2024, and member states now have until 29 May 2026 to incorporate the directive into national legislation.

“Some EU countries have tougher requirements than we do in Sweden. This means that countries like Norway have come much further. They already have many buildings with built-in intelligence, which has significantly reduced their energy consumption.”

Key Requirements and Timeline

2028:
● All new public buildings must be zero-emission buildings by January 1.

2030:
● The annual rate of energy renovation must at least double.
● 35 million buildings are to be renovated.
● All new buildings must meet zero-emission requirements by January 1.

2050:
● All existing buildings must be transformed into zero-emission buildings.
● National roadmaps with targets for 2030, 2040, and 2050 must be established.

Smart Systems Are the Solution

The directive places clear demands on the energy performance of buildings. According to calculations by the Swedish Energy Agency, the most cost-effective and fastest way to implement energy-efficiency measures is by installing smart building automation, says Rikard Nilsson.

Building automation enables intelligent control of lighting, heating, ventilation, and security to optimize energy efficiency and comfort.

“If you have a system where lighting, heating, and ventilation are controlled together, everything becomes smarter and easier for both building owners and occupants. Troubleshooting and maintenance also become much more straightforward,” Nilsson explains.

Function participates at Elfack to spread knowledge and inspire more stakeholders to take steps toward a more energy-efficient future. The question is not whether we should change, but how quickly we can do it.

“Many in the industry are simply not aware of what will actually apply. It’s surprising that consultants still design solutions that don’t meet the upcoming requirements. We see Elfack as an opportunity to share knowledge and raise awareness,” concludes Rikard Nilsson.