TNO has conducted research on (sub)targets for energy saving at the request of the Minister of Climate and Energy. This should set up a new policy to meet the tightened 2030 climate target of 55 to 60% emission reduction.

Questions minister:

1. Based on cost-effectiveness, what part of the 2030 climate target could be achieved with energy savings? Is this cost-effective contribution to the climate target sufficient to achieve the energy savings targets in the revised EED and REPowerEU proposal?

TNO response: Cost-effective contribution of energy savings to climate target not sufficient for savings targets revised EED and RePowerEU

2. Which energy saving sub-target (national and sectoral) can make a cost-effective contribution to the climate target and also provide sufficient certainty to achieve the energy saving targets from the revised EED and REPowerEU proposal?

TNO response: A sub-target for energy consumption based on European targets rather than national climate ambitions.

The savings targets for primary energy consumption in the revised EED and REPowerEU proposal are not expected to be met with only the current climate target. A national sub-target for energy savings should be based on the European targets and not the current national climate ambitions.

3. What policy measures can help realise this savings potential?

TNO response: Below are the policy measures that can help achieve additional savings for the industry sector.

Key savings measures: Choosing more efficient processes, saving on heat demand and electricity demand through process optimisation, waste heat utilisation from adjacent industry and electrification.

Policy measures that help realise additional savings: Include process optimisation, residual heat utilisation and electrification in energy saving obligation and SDE++. Research and agreements with industry on more efficient processes.

See: https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/brieven_regering/detail?id=2023Z01875&did=2023D04404