LBL_LOGO

The 31 measures to intensify energy savings and efficiency in Spain, which encompass 4 different spheres of action, and which complement other measures already in place, are motivated by the new scenario created by the recent escalation in oil prices.

This situation is shared by all importing countries, so in principle does not necessarily affect the competitiveness of Spain’s economy. However, there are circumstances affecting the Spanish energy scenario which make recent trends in energy prices more worrying. The preponderance of fossil fuels in our energy balance, together with our high degree of energy dependence and excessive energy consumption, make Spain more vulnerable to the new situation of energy prices. According to official data, on the basis of the year-on-year increase in oil prices, "Spain is now 17 billion euros poorer than a year ago."

The government's action is divided along two lines. In the medium-to-long term Spain will continue to promote renewable energy sources, as their development is a process which requires time and a significant margin for technological progress remains. This will reduce the share of fossil fuels in Spain's overall energy supply, which will have a positive impact both on CO2 emissions and on the country's dependence on imports, given that these are domestically produced energy sources.

However, in the short term, the government aims to give fresh impetus to energy savings and efficiency measures. The benefits of energy savings are not limited to reducing dependence on imports, but also extend to sustainability by reducing CO2 emissions.

Objectives and lines of action

The Plan's objective is to reduce energy consumption by 44 million barrels of oil, which is equivalent to 6 million tonnes oil equivalent, over the 2008-2011 timeframe. This target is equivalent to 10% of Spain's annual oil imports.

To achieve this goal, the plan sets out measures affecting the transport industry, which is responsible for 40% of final energy consumption; manufacturing industry, which is responsible for 30%; the residential sector, which is responsible for 17%; the tertiary sector, responsible for 9%; and farming, which consumes 4% of end-use energy. The plan's measures are subdivided into four lines of action. A first cross-cutting line of action, a second mobility line, a third line focused on buildings and a fourth line for saving electricity.

 Cross-cutting measures

1. Promoting the development of Energy Services Companies is one of the cross-cutting measures due to be implemented. An Energy Services Company optimises the management of the customer's energy facilities, recouping its investments through the energy savings achieved in the medium-to-long term. To promote these companies it is necessary to give them a secure legal framework, provide funding and run public procurement programmes for which they can bid.
2. Also, the Ministry plans to double the budget of the Instituto para la Diversificación y Ahorro de la Energía - IDAE to support strategic projects by large companies and business groups. The IDAE will have 120 million euros, rather than the 60 million previously envisaged, to aid and stimulate these projects.
3. Companies with energy accreditation, i.e. companies with an AENOR certificate, will have an advantage in public procurement procedures.
4. Finally, within this axis of cross-cutting or horizontal actions, we are due to sign an agreement with the umbrella consumers' association Consejo de Consumidores y Usuarios this year to carry out, through consumers' associations, training and information campaigns on the instruments available and the benefits of saving energy.
   
   Mobility
   
   In the mobility area, a number of vehicle-related measures will be carried out, such as promoting more efficient driving, and a series of public transport initiatives will be adopted. In addition, a pilot project promoting the use of electric vehicles will be launched.
    
5. These measures aimed at vehicles include a pilot project to introduce electric vehicles which will be carried out in collaboration with the governments of the Autonomous Regions and local authorities. The aim of the pilot is to demonstrate the feasibility of electric vehicles in technical, energy and economic terms. This project, reached through a consensus with the automotive industry, will set itself the target of a million electric and hybrid vehicles in 2014, giving precedence to domestic production as far as possible.
6. National government will establish a preference criterion for cars with an energy class “A” rating in its public procurement procedures.
7. In 2009 it will become mandatory for public fleets to be at least 20% biofuel-driven, as a step towards the 38% target for 2012
8. In relation to biofuels, regulations to ensure fulfilment of the 5.83% target for automotive fuel consumption by 2010 will come into effect.
9. The plan to promote innovative and environmentally friendly vehicles, Plan VIVE (Vehículo Innovador - Vehículo Ecológico), is another measure that will be in force until 2010, and will allow almost 240,000 vehicles over 15 years old to be renewed. This will enable significant fuel savings, as well as improving road safety and reducing CO2 emissions.
10. Following the model used in the case of household electrical appliances, vehicle manufacturers will be required to inform consumers about the energy consumption and emissions of the vehicle they are purchasing, in the form of a comparative energy label.
11. To promote energy-efficient driving, a proposal will be put forward on reducing speed limits by an average of 20% on access roads to major cities and on their orbital roads, and also on trunk routes. This proposal is due within three months.
12. Campaigns will also be run to inform the public about efficient driving techniques.
13.  In relation to public transport, a special-purpose finance line will be negotiated with the European Investment Bank to support a greater number of sustainable urban mobility plans and thereby help municipalities improve their public transport systems, look for alternative routes, purchase efficient vehicles, etc.
14. Energy efficiency criteria will be incorporated when determining national government's contribution to the funding of public transport run by local authorities.
15.  Mobile telephony operators will be required to guarantee signal coverage on the metro network in all of Spain's cities.
16. An extension of metro operating hours at weekends will be agreed with the relevant regional governments and local authorities.
17. Also, urban travel by bicycle will be promoted, once an agreement is reached with local authorities, by supporting the implementation of public bicycle systems and urban bike lanes.
18. In the case of cities with more than half a million inhabitants, lanes reserved for collective passenger transport (known as BUS-VAO in Spanish) will be created ahead of a 2012 horizon. 
19. National government will have employee mobility plans for centres with over 100 workers, establishing, among other measures, bus routes according to where employees live, so that they can travel to work without using their cars.
20. Air routes will be optimised by using the Ministry of Defence's flight corridors. This measure will enable the length of commercial routes to be reduced by up to 10%, with notable fuel savings.
    
    Energy savings in Buildings.
21. As regards the energy saving measures affecting buildings, one key measure is the restriction on indoor temperatures in climate-controlled non-residential buildings and other public spaces, with the exception of hospitals and other centres requiring special indoor environments. Under the new rules, the temperature in the buildings and public spaces affected may not fall below 26º in summer or be above 21º in winter.
22. In the framework of the renewal plan for tourism infrastructure, which has been given a budget of 500 million euros for 2009, part of this line will be set aside to finance investments promoting energy savings in tourism facilities.
23. Amendment of the Royal Decree on Energy Efficiency in New Buildings to make it obligatory for new national administration buildings to achieve a high energy rating.
    
    Measures for saving electricity.
    
24. A joint effort will be made with the European Commission to achieve the complete elimination of low efficiency bulbs from the market by 2012.
25. To facilitate the transition, while progress is still being made towards total elimination, one low energy bulb will be distributed free of charge in 2009 and another in 2010, by including gift vouchers on the electricity bill. In total, around 49 million free low consumption bulbs will be distributed to all consumers. Bearing in mind that these bulbs consume 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs and that they last 6 to 8 times longer, this will result in significant electricity savings. The programme will be run in the form of a public call for tender aimed at all manufacturers.
26. To complement the preceding action, six million low consumption bulbs will be distributed through a 2x1 voluntary programme to replace incandescent bulbs.
27. In the case of electricity consumption by national government, the mandatory target of a reduction of 10% will be set, to be effective in the first half of 2009, compared to the same period in 2008. This level of savings will be maintained continuously over the three-year period.
28. As regards public lighting, the energy efficiency of outdoor lighting systems will be improved.
29. In addition, the energy consumption of street lighting on motorways will be reduced by 50%.
30. A regulation will be put forward to allow urban and interurban rail companies to offset electricity recovered during braking from their bills. 
31. Finally, losses in the transport and distribution of electricity will be reduced.

Overall, these 31 measures will have a cost of 245 million euros, which will be spread over the period in which the Plan is in effect. This sum will mainly be financed by the IDAE. With the promotion of these measures, the total estimated energy savings in 2011 will be in the range of 5.8 to 6.4 million tonnes oil equivalent, which is equal to saving between 42.5 and 47 million barrels of oil.