Opportunities in Spanish energy efficiency. Current situation, trends and potential in the building sector

The EU energy policy sets an energy efficiency increase target of 20%, which is being implemented in the legislation of Member States in different ways. The greatest potential for energy savings of nearly 40% lies in buildings. The Spanish building sector has developed several instruments for significant savings. The purpose of this study is to analyze those instruments and their effectiveness and efficiency. In Spain, energy efficiency in buildings is improving more slowly than in other EU Member States, but the new regulation will open a new opportunity to recover the lost years. However, the current economic crisis, demotivation of its citizens, decentralization of power in energy matters and the large stock of housing for sale, impede achievement of energy efficiency goals (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.