Energy savings targets set for EU member states by 2020, through the use of more efficient systems, are proving difficult to achieve, judging by the lack of progress in this domain around Europe, including Greece.

On the contrary, renewable energy production targets are expected to be reached by most EU member states and, in some cases, even exceeded.

Greece’s energy ministry believes national RES production targets will be met. New wind energy park investments are expected to play a key role in this achievement.

However, energy ministry officials yesterday admitted being concerned by the lack of progress in the national energy savings effort. The recently appointed energy minister Giorgos Stathakis, as part of the government’s cabinet reshuffle, intends to place greater emphasis in this department.

The country’s targets are the key item on the agenda of a meeting scheduled for January 19 between Stathakis and the European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Change Miguel Arias Canete.

The country’s transition towards the new energy model, regional pipeline developments, as well as Greece’s energy collaboration with Cyprus and Israel will also be discussed at the forthcoming meeting.