Energy Saving and Efficiency Plan 2008-11

The Spanish government on 1 August 2008 approved the Spanish Industry Ministers 2008-2011 energy saving and efficiency plan announced two days earlier. The plan contains 31 recommendations aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions and saving EUR 4.14 billion in oil imports, or 47 million barrels per year over four years. The new plan will cover the transport, industrial, residential, tertiary and agricultural sectors. Measures follow four lines of action: transversal measures, mobility, buildings and energy savings. Transversal measures: -Encouraging the development of Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), through ensuring legal protection of these companies, providing financing and offering public contracts; -Giving an advantage to certified energy companies (those with a certificate issued by Spains standardisation and certification organisation AENOR) in public contracts; - Doubling the budget for the governments Institute for Energy Saving and Diversification (IDEA) to EUR 120 million in order to support strategic projects by large companies and industrial groups; - Agreements signed in the course of 2008 with Consumer and User Boards for these associations to carry out training and information campaigns on energy-saving measures and benefits. Mobility: - In collaboration with the autonomous regions and local authorities, a pilot project will be carried out to demonstrate the technical, energetic and economic viability of electric vehicles. The goal of this project, with the agreement of the automobile sector, will be to have one million electric or hybrid vehicles by 2014; - The Spanish general administration will establish preferential criteria within the public contracting procedures for energy efficiency Class A passenger vehicles. In addition, by 2009 the public vehicle pool will be required to use a minimum of 20% biofuels. - The necessary regulations will be developed to ensure the objective of 5.83% biofuels in automobile fuel consumption is met by 2010; -Establishment of the VIVE (Vehículo Innovador - Vehículo Ecológico, Innovative Vehicle - Ecological Vehicle) Plan, to be in effect until 2010. VIVE will replace nearly 240 000 vehicles over 15 years old; - Vehicle manufacturers will be required to inform consumers on the emissions and energy consumption of new vehicles for sale by means of a comparative energy label; - A proposal will be presented to reduce by an average of 20% the speed limits entering large cities and on city ring-roads and high-capacity roads; - Campaigns are to be conducted, notifying and informing citizens about efficient driving techniques, such as the importance of tyre pressure for fuel consumption; - A special line of credit will be negotiated with the European Investment Bank to support sustainable urban mobility plans, enabling cities and towns to improve public transport systems, seek alternative routes, buy efficient vehicles, etc. Energy efficiency criteria will also be included in determining the Spanish administrations contribution towards financing public transport with City Councils; - Mobile telephone network operators will be required to guarantee coverage on underground public transportation networks in all Spanish cities; - Agreements are to be reached with autonomous regions and local authorities to extend the underground public transportation operating hours on the weekend; - Promotion of bicycle use through agreements with local authorities, supporting the implementation of public-use bicycle systems and urban cycling lanes; - In cities with populations of over 500,000, lanes reserved for collective passenger transport, known has HOV lanes, will be established by 2012; - The Spanish general administration will put in place worker mobility plans for centres with over 100 employees, including establishing bus routes based on the workers places of residence ; - Air routes will be optimised using the Ministry of Defences air corridors, reducing the length

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