The EU ministers for energy meet in Åre today and will be joined by the ministers for environment tomorrow. The ministers discussed energy efficiency at today’s meeting.

”I see increased energy efficiency as a very important component of an eco-efficient economy”, said Minister for Enterprise and Energy Maud Olofsson after the meeting and pointed out that efficient use of energy is one of the Swedish Presidency's priorities.
"An eco-efficient economy means that active work on the environment can contribute to the strengthening of the economy and competitiveness. Energy efficiency can be a cheap way to reduce climate gas emissions."

”In a time of economic crisis, the transition to more efficient energy usage can contribute to stimulating the economy by creating new employment opportunities. It can also strengthen industrial competitiveness by reducing energy costs”, said Maud Olofsson.

The European Commission will draw up an action plan for energy efficiency this autumn. Today’s discussion by the ministers contributed knowledge and experience to this action plan. In addition to the ministers, the Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgs also attended the meeting. He explained how far the EU has come with the current action plan.

The Exectutive Director of International Energy Agency, IEA, Nobuo Tanaka also took part in the meeting, speaking about the role of energy efficiency in an eco-efficient economy.
"We said in the meeting that energy efficiency will play an important role. 54 per cent of CO2 reductions should come from energy efficiency.  It is a cost-effective way of reducing emissions", Nobuo Tanaka said after the meeting. 

Professor Sven Werner of Halmstad University spoke about Europe’s inefficient energy systems. According to him, the amount of energy lost is greater than the total used. Christopher Hurst of the European Investment Bank spoke about the instruments and financial means available when working to increase energy efficiency.