Mediterranean Action Plan

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ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
3.4 Energy Efficiency Evolution – decoupling
Oil and electricity are the major energy sources in the residential/ tertiary sector.
The potential of reducing energy demand in the building sector is assessed. In the frame of
the current assessment two building uses are dealt with, (a) the residential because it is the
largest sector and so any small reduction at the unit level –the residence- entails a large
overall reduction at the building stock level and, (b) the tourist accommodation due to the
important place it has in the economy of the island and the very large energy demand in
electricity.
The report outlines the assessment of the potential of energy reduction. Three potential
scenarios of demand reduction are formulated, associated with the level of energy demand
reduction intensity.
The first one is the so called business as usual scenario which, in this report is called
“baseline scenario”. It estimates the reduction if no measure is applied. It is noted that a
small reduction is anticipated due to the fact (a) energy equipment such as heating systems
burner/boiler, light-bulbs etc. available on the market today have a better efficiency and so
they can potentially save energy. Furthermore, due to the age of the building stock there will
be a need for building refurbishment such as replacement of glazing etc. Similarly, double
glazing will replace single glazing since the latter is gradually taken away from the market.