Legal notice makes renewable energy mandatory by 2015

The government has set a post electoral target date for the entry of new regulations setting mandatory levels for renewable energy in both new and renovated buildings.

At present new owners of new buildings have no obligation to provide part of their energy needs through renewable sources. But this will changed in two years' time.

A new legal notice envisions that by the end of December 2014 the Resources Authority in collaboration with the Building Regulation Board will establish provisions for the use of minimum levels of energy from renewable sources in which will apply for the construction of new buildings and in existing buildings that undergo major renovation. 

As from this year any new public buildings, and existing public buildings that are subject to major renovation must "fulfill an exemplary role" by minimizing energy consumption and by providing roofs or other appropriate open spaces of public or for installations that produce energy from renewable sources.

The new legal notice states that the authorities will be providing suitable guidance to all relevant actors, like planners, architects and engineers on the optimal combination of renewable energy sources, of high-efficiency technologies and of district heating and cooling when planning, designing, building and renovating industrial or residential areas.

The Authority shall also ensure that certification schemes are available by the 31 December 2012 for installers of small-scale biomass boilers and stoves, solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, shallow geothermal systems and heat pumps.