As Europe searches for further energy efficiency measures to achieve its 2020 savings target, COGEN Europe revealed the huge untapped potential for energy efficiency, which still remains, by using highly efficient cogeneration technology for electricity generation. At a European Parliamentary event hosted by Fiona Hall MEP, COGEN Europe presented the first analysis of Member States’ assessment of the cogeneration potential, showing that doubling the existing cogeneration capacity is economically possible.
Experts heard how Member States must give more focus to cogeneration in their efforts to achieving their energy and climate targets.

There is 97 GWe of cogeneration installed in Europe today. The Member States reporting of the additional potential, a requirement under the Cogeneration Directive 2004/08/EC has shown that there is at least an additional 122 GWe which it is in their assessment economic to deploy before 2020.

Cogeneration, also known as CHP or Combined Heat and Power, is the simultaneous production of heat and electricity. 11% of Europe’s electricity and heat requirements today are produced incorporating this energy efficiency technology. It delivers a saving of up to 25% on primary fuel compared to separat production of heat and electricity. Member States have identified a wide spread of additional
opportunities for cogeneration ranging from industry, the tertiary sector and district heating to agriculture and households. Industry is a potentially large user of cogeneration with recent examples in the refinery sector saving 200,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. In the new Member States the opportunity in upgrading old heat distribution networks of district heating to include cogeneration is the major opportunity.

The Member States reports show that in the majority of cases there is substantial opportunity to expand
cogeneration. Germany’s assessment shows one of the highest potentials: over 50% of Germany’s current electricity could be supplied using high efficiency cogeneration. “The potentials assessed by Member States offer a clear energy saving opportunity”, commented Fiona Riddoch, Managing Director of COGEN Europe. “Germany has set itself a target of doubling cogeneration to 24% of its electricity supply by 2020.

It is time for the European Commission to consider a cogeneration target for Europe.”

The analysis of Member State reports was carried out the CODE project, a Community co‐funded project which is independently monitoring the implementation of the Cogeneration Directive in Europe. The Parliamentary event launched the interim findings of CODE, in advance of a full report at the end of October.

For more information please contact:
Dr Fiona Riddoch, Managing Director
Tel: +32 2 772 8290
Fax: + 32 2 772 5044
Email: fiona.riddoch@cogeneurope.eu
Stefan Craenen, Communication Manager
Tel: +32 2 772 8290
Fax: +32 2 772 50 44
Email: stefan.craenen@cogeneration.eu