Today, 27th of February, a coalition of industry groups including Hydrogen Europe have released a joint statement on the definition of zero-emission buildings in the Energy Performance and Buildings Directive (EPBD).

The letter welcomes the European Parliament definition in Article 2.2 of the EPBD to include renewable energy delivered through energy grids as a solution in zero-emission buildings. All renewable sources will be needed to fully decarbonize Europe’s buildings.

However, the letter’s signatories regret the contents of Annex III which restricts the possibilities laid out in Art. 2.2 to renewable energy delivered exclusively through power purchase agreements (PPAs). These agreements are complex, long-term products that are not easily accessible to private consumers. Thus, Annex III excludes a large portion of potential renewable energy, limiting the amount available to decarbonise buildings.

See the full letter and its signatories in attachment.