National
The Spanish Government's 20 Energy Saving Measures
By h.b. - Mar 6, 2011 - 11:12 AM
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Photo EFE
The Spanish Cabinet approved 20 measures on Friday
The Transport Sector
1. New lines of credit to promote public transport, bus lanes and transport hubs in towns between 20,000 and 50,000 inhabitants.
2. The Development Ministry will shortly present an energy efficiency plan in the transport of goods by railway.
3. Optimisation of air traffic control corridors, using Ministry of Defence airspace, and the introduction of continuous descent systems and new analysis on transatlantic routes.
4. Temporary speed reduction on motorways and toll motorways for cars and motorbikes to 110 km/hr. The measure affects 12,000 kms of such roads in Spain. It’s cost of implementation is 250,000 €. The Government will consider whether or not to continue the measure on June 30 2011.
5. Promotion of the practice of car pooling
6. Promotion of the electric car in cities with the Sello Movele system.
7. Increase in the obligation for the introduction of biodiesel fuels up to 7% in this and subsequent years.
8. Reduction in RENFE train ticket prices on local and medium distance routes.
9. Prioritisation of social funding for public transport.
10. Renewal plan for tyres. Tyres which have the maximum energy qualification A to be introduced on individual’s cars and in company fleets. A grant of 20 € per tyre will be offered with a limit of 240,000 tyres in total, which means that 60,000 vehicles will benefit.
In Buildings
11. New ICO credit line for ESE companies – Energy Services Companies, with the objective of granting credit to these businesses. The initial financing budget here will be 600 million €.
12. Promotion of the use of biomass for heating in buildings by two methods – The substitution of heating systems in public administration buildings, and via the extension of the current energy services plans for businesses.
13. The rationalisation of energy consumption by public administrations.
14. Extension of credits for the renewal of high performance heating energy systems with the IDAE for installations up to 1,000 MW.
15. Obligatory energy certification for non residential buildings with more than 400 kW heating installed.
Measures on lighting and electricity use
16. Renovation of municipal public lighting systems for other which are more efficient – Three lines of action to be put in place by Town Halls.
17. Energy efficiency plan on state roads.
18. Substitution of current traffic lights for LED’s.
19. 2X1 replacement plan of halogen lamps for LED’s.
20. Awareness campaign for the citizens on the importance of saving energy.