Discussion on new legislation concerning energy efficiency and saving is scheduled to begin in Greek Parliament this Thursday. The intention is to introduce a law to the country’s legal framework based on EU guidelines issued in 2012, which require measures for increased energy efficiency at households, buildings, industrial facilities, and transportation between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2020.

Just four months ago, the European Commission filed a case against Greece at the European Court for the country’s failure, until now, to introduce guideline-related measures to national law. Greece has been threatened with a fine of 29,145.60 euros for each day that has elapsed since January 1, 2014 without these measures intact.

Earlier this year, former energy minister Panagiotis Lafazanis had launched public consultation proceedings for a draft law on the matter, whose details include setting annual objectives, monitoring through the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (ESDEA), as well as reinforcing the market for energy savings companies (ESCO), businesses providing design and implementation of energy-saving projects.

A total of 47 proposals have been submitted to the public consultation procedure until now, sixteen of these concerning the establishment of energy efficiency inspections by certified independent inspectors.