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Status of the EPD work in Greece

 

Introduction

 

Energy efficiency in the building sector in Greece will be ensured by the new legal framework (EPD and KOXEE-Regulation on Rational Use and Energy Conservation); in the past it was primarily practiced based on private initiatives, but, currently, it is promoted by the State with subsidies from National Programs. Energy services remain in embryonic phase in Greece, with only minimal examples of best practice; energy audits are practiced, being mandatory for funding from National Programs.

 

Technical framework

 

Technical regulations for the building sector are specified in the ‘General Building Code’, which defines maximum allowed building factors, site coverage factors and building volume coefficients, in relation to the size of plots and by specific area (for building permits), both for new buildings and for extensions to existing structures.

The ‘Regulation for Thermal Insulation’ imposed in 1979, sets energy coefficients (k values) of the building envelope, varying by climate zone and F/V ratios.

 

 

Beneficial conditions

 

By amendment of the General Building Code, since 2000, incentives are provided for the application of energy technologies onto the building shell. Such incentives foresee exclusion of the area of the energy systems within the building factors and volume coefficients. The existing (in force) ‘Regulation for Thermal Insulation’ will be replaced by the new ‘Regulation on Rational Use and Energy Conservation’ which was elaborated and completed in 2002.

The new Building Energy Code (Regulation on Rational Use and Energy Conservation) sets as obligatory the energy design of all buildings based on specific energy consumption limits (per building type and climatic region), properties and performance of materials, as also, on specific calculation methodologies (heating/cooling/lighting) enabling the application of bioclimatic strategies and energy saving technologies in the electromechanical installations.  It also foresees all required methods and procedures for the Energy Rating and Certification for new and existing buildings.

This Code was expected to be put in “public conference” and come into effect by the end of 2003. The shift of interest towards the new frameworks and regulations for electricity production, has delayed all initiatives and plans for energy saving in buildings. However, the framework for the implementation of the EPD and the Energy Certificate is complete and detailed and should be promoted to come in force.

 

 

Compliance of the new Greek Regulation with the EPD

Measures (1), (2), (3) and (4) included in the new Buildings’ Directive (EPD) are foreseen in the new ‘Regulation on Rational Use and Energy Conservation’, which is not yet in force. Such compliance is as following:

minimum energy performance standards

EPD measure 1. application of min energy performance standards to existing buildings, when extensions over 30 m2 are added

 

energy performance certificates

EPD measure 2. mandatory  for all existing buildings and required in all legal and commercial actions

 

regular inspection of central heating boilers

EPD measure 3. inspection of boilers is mandatory since 1986 by Joint Ministerial Decision

EPD measure 4. obligation extended to all heating& coolinginstallation equipment

 

 

Demand for action for the implementation of the EPD

  • Application of the new Building Code
  • Promotion and acceleration of all required procedures for the issuing of the new Building ‘Regulation on Rational Use and Energy Conservation’. The new code is being put in public conference but the process is slow
  • EPD Information campaigns
  • Market actors and Institutions involved  in the residential sector are not well informed on the obligations  deriving from the new Directive

 

 

Incentives for energy efficiency measures in buildings

 

Legal incentives:

 

Incentives regarding the application of energy technologies in existing buildings are already introduced (L 2831/20000) in the Building Regulations (e.g. exclusion of the area of the energy systems within the volume coefficient). It is expected that the new building permit process will enhance the  integration of energy systems in buildings.

 

Technical incentives:

 

Technical assistance can be provided to building owners through cost-benefit data and alternative scenarios on types of investment and pay back periods,which will be included in the energy audit reports.

Furthermore, energy cost tables (comparison tables) can be developed to give a clear picture of the benefits of energy refurbishment to the owners.

 

Financial incentives:

 

The incentive -L2364/06.12.95- of tax deduction- (by 75% for any new energy installations of RES and natural gas)withdrawn in 2002, should be reactivated.

Up to date subsidies for energy refurbishment of dwellings do not exist. Funding for energy refurbishment of residential buildings through the Operational Programme for Competitiveness (3rd Community Support Framework) is not permitted by the Regional Funds. Possibilities of National Funding sources should be investigated for the domestic sector.

 

 

Tertiary sector buildings

Subsidies for energy conservation in buildings provided by the Operational Programme for Competitiveness-OPC (3rd Community Support Framework), are foreseen also  for the residential sector, but only for buildings, building complexes or settlements with a total area greater then 1000m2.

 

Domestic sector buildings

Funding for the domestic sector is limited and complementary (in the frames of wider financial frameworks for the building sector).

Financial incentives /subsidies targeted specifically to the domestic sector are required.

 

Complementary measures referring to building renovations less than 1000m2, or parts of buildings (e.g. on the basis of min %) would, in many cases, solve problems of ownership.