COUNCIL RESOLUTIONof 15 September 1986on improving energy efficiency in industrial firms in the Member States(86/C 240/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Commission communication of 16 May 1986 entitled 'Towards a European policy for energy efficiency in industrial firms', Having regard to the Council resolutions of 9 June 1980 (1) and 15 January 1985 (2) which called for increased efforts in the Community to save energy and to reduce oil consumption and oil imports and which recommended guidelines to Member States for a basic energy-saving programme, Having regard to the Commission recommendation of 29 July 1980 on the rational use of energy in industrial enterprises (3) , Having regard to the Council recommendation of 28 July 1982 concerning the encouragement of investment in the rational use of energy (4) , Whereas industrial undertakings in the Member States have substantially improved their energy efficiency; whereas there nevertheless remains a large potential for energy saving in industry which could be achieved by introducing technologies whose sound economic profitability has been demonstrated; Whereas, in the long run, the modernization of productive plant will be the main source of energy savings, and whereas this is likely to improve the competitiveness of European industry and promote job creation in undertakings; Whereas measures to be implemented by the Member States and the Community may support and facilitate the necessary improvements in firms' energy performance, these measures to be principally in the fields of research, demonstration, the appropriate financing of investments and information and training; Whereas the current sudden falls in oil prices are not lasting, may have direct negative effects on adequate and secure long-term supply and are therefore a new challenge for the Community's energy-saving policy, 1. invites Member States, in the present situation of falling energy prices, not to relax their efforts to promote the efficient use of energy in firms but on the contrary to increase them, particularly in the case of industrial firms where this is economically justifiable; 2. recalls that such policies should be based on the principles of energy-pricing policy and on the measures set out in the resolution of 9 June 1980 concerning new lines of action by the Community in the field of energy saving and in the resolution of 15 January 1985 concerning additional guidelines; 3. notes that an improvement in the energy efficiency of industrial firms in the Member States can also have positive effects on the environment; 4. notes that the Commission is keeping a close watch on energy price trends, including those of oil prices, and their consequences for energy savings in the Community, in particular in industry; 5. takes note of the Commission's intention of directing its future energy-saving activities in industry along the following lines: - major emphasis will continue to be given to projects presented by industry and small and medium-sized undertakings under the Community's demonstration programme in the energy sector, in particular as regards energy savings and the recovery of industrial waste; - exchanges of information and experience by Member States on results obtained in their programmes and in particular exchanges of views at European level between energy-saving associations in the Member States will be promoted; - yet more will be done to inform industrial firms in the Community of completed demonstration projects and to arrange activities such as seminars, information workshops and specific studies to facilitate the dissemination of the techniques demonstrated; - further efforts will be made to achieve energy savings in the industrial sector under the Community's non-nuclear research and development programme; - work will be expedited on finalizing the SESAME database on demonstration projects carried out under national and Community programmes with a view to the possible creation of a documentation centre on new energy technologies; - further detailed analysis will be made of the energy flows of small and medium-sized undertakings in certain sectors under the Community Energy Bus programme; the results will be notified to the industries concerned and appropriate further measures will be planned on the basis of an assessment of the pilot phase 1985 to 1987; - where appropriate, the introduction and refinement of energy diagnoses in industrial firms will be facilitated in the Member States; - further energy audits will be carried out in addition to those already made for some industrial sectors; - an examination will be made of appropriate incentives to the marketing of new energy-saving products or techniques; - new methods of financing energy-saving investments such as third-party financing will be made more widely known, the use of risk capital will be encouraged and industrial firms and financial institutions - the European Investment Bank may have a part to play in this area - as well as Member States will be informed; 6. invites the Commission to keep it regularly informed of the progress of these activities and the results achieved. (1) OJ No C 149, 18. 6. 1980, pp. 1 and 3.

(2) OJ No C 20, 22. 1. 1985, p. 1.

(3) OJ No L 239, 12. 9. 1980, p. 26.

(4) OJ No L 247, 23. 8. 1982, p. 9.