Source: European Parliament
Renovations to improve a building’s energy performance qualify for support under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The total estimated expenditure in energy efficiency in buildings under the RRF is EUR 81.1 billion in the EU, of which EUR 67.5 billion for renovation and EUR 13.5 billion for new construction[1]. Belgium’s Recovery and Resilience plan (BE RRP) includes investments of over EUR 1 billion in the renovation of buildings[2].
The Commission recognises the importance of preserving cultural heritage. According to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive[3] and the Energy Efficiency Directive[4], Member States may exempt buildings officially protected as part of a designated environment or because of their special architectural or historical merit from renovation requirements.
A measure in the BE RRP is I-1.09 ‘Renovation of public buildings — schools’ covers light, medium and deep renovations, as well as demolitions and reconstructions.
It is mentioned that demolition/reconstruction would apply to buildings that are in most cases prefabricated and where renovation is not possible due to their dilapidation[5].
The BE RRP did not provide any indication regarding protected buildings as part of a designated environment or because of their special architectural or historic merit .
The RRF is performance-based. After receiving a payment request, the Commission assesses whether the actions completed comply with the requirements of the Council Implementing Decision[6] before paying out the respective amount to the requesting Member State.
The Commission does not give an opinion on individual projects before they start. Investment I-1.09 will be assessed under the fifth and sixth payment request by Belgium, expected in 2026.
- [1] https://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/recovery-and-resilience-scoreboard/assets/thematic_analysis/scoreboard_thematic_analysis_efficiency.pdf
- [2] Council Implementing Decision on the approval of the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for Belgium, 10161/21.
- [3] Directive (EU) 2024/1275, Article 5(2).
- [4] Directive (EU) 2023/1791, Article 6(2)a.
- [5] https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-recovery/recovery-and-resilience-facility/country-pages/belgiums-recovery-and-resilience-plan_en
- [6] Council implementing Decision amending the Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 on the approval of the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for Belgium and Annex, 15570/23.