The threat of compulsory renovations under a new EU 'energy conservation' law has been removed, an MEP has claimed. 

Fine Gael's Seán Kelly has said the EU's 'Energy Performance of Buildings Directive' will now help people who want to renovate their homes - instead of forcing everyone to retrofit it.  

“The Commission wanted it to be compulsory to force retrofit their homes - that obviously wasn’t a runner,” he claimed. 

“Eventually, we got a very good balance where we are now going to be in a position to have targets. 

“Member states will be able to apply as fits their country but it will also reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, make homes much more comfortable and bring down energy bills.” 

A bungalow with solar panels on the roof.

Mr Kelly said the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive should help people access the finance they need to retrofit their homes. 

“The key [thing] is it will not be compulsory but there will be incentives there by way of grants and by way of loans,” he said. 

“This is a signal to the financial institutions - AIB, etc, that this is the way to go. 

“So, now I think [it is] all guns, we will be able to retrofit both residential and non-residential houses at a better rate than would otherwise have been the case.” 

It is estimated that 23% of Ireland’s emissions come from the energy used to heat, light and cool buildings.

Main image: A man installing rooftop solar panels. Image: Radharc Images / Alamy