The government on Thursday sent to parliament a final bill of amendments to the Energy Efficiency Act, containing new national targets until 2030 that should result in much lower energy consumption.

The amendments are aimed at aligning the law with changes to EU regulations on energy efficiency, Economy Minister Tomislav Coric said.

The EU directive in question establishes a common legal framework for promoting energy efficiency in the EU by cutting consumption by 20 percent from the projected consumption in 2020 and by at least 32.5 percent in 2030 from the consumption in 2005.

The bill introduces new national targets for energy consumption until 2030 and mandatory cumulative energy savings, and it also defines ways to meet those targets by combining energy efficiency and alternative policies, Coric said.

The bill also regulates the right to clear and transparent information in the calculation and consumption of electricity, natural gas, heating and hot water, he added.

Furthermore, the amendments envisage planning and reporting in line with EU Regulation 2018/1999 by applying the energy efficiency principle, which requires that all economic activities and future projects be viewed through their contribution to energy efficiency and which aims to support frameworks facilitating sustainable investment in energy, transport, construction and industry.