Since 2020, new buildings in the EU are required to meet 'nearly zero energy' standards, transitioning to 'zero-emission buildings' standards by 2028 and 2030 for public and all new buildings, respectively.

Achieving zero-emission buildings relies on efficient renewable energy systems, such as solar generators with hydrogen storage, though these face challenges like high costs and low efficiency.

Techno-economic analyses suggest that hydrogen fuel could become more cost-effective than natural gas by 2030, driven by advancements in electrolyzer technology.

As technology improves, the costs of electrolyzers and fuel cells are expected to decline, while efforts to enhance hydrogen efficiency continue.

In the first half of 2024, significant progress was made in renewable energy, with half of the EU's electricity production coming from renewable sources.

The share of Russian gas in EU imports has dramatically decreased from 45% in 2021 to 18% by June 2024, while imports from reliable partners like Norway and the USA have increased.

The 2024 State of the Energy Union report indicates that the EU has successfully mitigated critical risks to its energy supply security and regained control over energy markets and prices.

To meet climate and energy goals for 2030, the EU has established a regulatory and financial framework that promotes economic growth and competitiveness.

The European Green Deal, along with initiatives like the REPowerEU plan introduced in May 2022, aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy use in buildings.

In 2021, the building sector was responsible for 35% of the EU's energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to fossil fuel consumption and electricity use.

The report emphasizes the urgency for all EU countries to submit updated National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) to collectively achieve energy and climate objectives for 2030.

Despite notable advancements, the report highlights the need for enhanced energy efficiency efforts to meet the target of an 11.7% reduction in final energy consumption by 2030.