As 2025 begins, let’s start by looking ahead at our priorities for this year. 2024 marked the end of an EU legislative period characterized by significant progress thanks to the Green Deal. Over the past five years, the energy transition gained momentum, and the EU started on a comprehensive legislative framework for our energy system.
However, much work remains to ensure these initiatives translate into tangible outcomes that benefit citizens, companies and administrations. Implementing some of the already adopted legislation and continuing to advance in areas such as electrification, industry and skills should be two of the key priorities for the New Year.
Implementation of the existing legislation
While ambitious targets have been set, we must ensure that newly-adopted legislation is thoroughly implemented and translates into concrete results. EuropeOn sees electrical contractors as the “Green Deal implementers”, this is why we look up to Member States to diligently and cooperatively work on implementing the Green Deal. We also provided our members with a “Green Deal Memo” to help them navigate new provisions (available on request).
- Energy Efficiency Directive (EED): Member States must ensure they fulfill the requirements of the EED. In particular, they had until 31 December 2024 to assess the gap between available and needed professionals and make this assessment publicly available. Workforce shortages take time to address, and quick fixes are not feasible. This is why a thorough assessment of the needs is an important first step.
- Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD): Decarbonising our building stock will in many cases mean electrification. Member States must now set a framework that will be conducive to the widespread electrification of buildings, by addressing hurdles like the electricity/gas price ratio, Primary Energy Factors or buildings’ ageing electrical installations. Addressing workforce shortages is also a necessary condition for the full implementation of the EPBD.
Implementation should rely on stable and predictable incentives and local targets, as instability and stop-and-go incentives can be detrimental to SMEs and hinder progress.
More electrification… Especially for European buildings and industry
Beyond implementing existing legislation, it is necessary to advance in key areas such as electrification and industry. We are looking forward to the upcoming initiatives announced by the new European Commission, but it is crucial to consider certain factors to ensure their effectiveness:
- The Electrification Action Plan, which we have been advocating for since early 2024 (also with the Electrification Alliance), is a promising development. The European Commission’s announcement of this plan is a step in the right direction, but we need to move faster and with greater coordination. Electricity is rapidly decarbonising and significantly more efficient than other energy sources, making it an essential pillar to achieving Green Deal targets. Additionally, electrification of buildings, supported by skilled electrical contractors, will be crucial to meeting EPBD objectives.
- The Clean Industrial Deal will also be key in stimulating the electrification and decarbonisation of industry. It should act as a comprehensive industrial policy and include a strong workforce and skills component. The Clean Industrial Deal could build on the Net Zero Industry Act’s provisions on skills, leveraging the Net Zero Platform to address workforce shortages at the EU level.
- Finally, the Action Plans for Affordable Housing and for Affordable energy should ensure the timely, just and full implementation of EPBD, and tap into the great potential of electrification to lower energy bills.
Additionally, EuropeOn will keep the #Skills4Climate campaign alive and persist in calling for more action to address the workforce and skills shortages in the electricity sector, including through the upcoming Strategy for Vocational Education and Training.
Although it is too early to uncover the themes of our annual gathering, our readers can already mark down the 18th and 19th of November in their agenda: we will be back in Brussels with our Installers’ Summit, in cooperation with GCP Europe (representing mechanical contractors).
This year, ensuring the implementation of existing legislation, accelerating electrification, and supporting industrial and workforce advancements will be key for a sustainable and electrified future for Europe.
