Interview Chris Bruijnes

However, it seems that owners of houses and buildings are not yet enthusiastic about energy saving. Will the national energy savings targets be achieved? Chris Bruijnes, director of Meer met Minder, feels that not only the government but also the energy companies have to play a role in this: "The energy sector can and must encourage savings." But isn’t it odd to ask energy companies to promote energy saving?

What is Meer met Minder?

The government’s targets in the domain of energy saving in the built environment are plain: in 2020 the 2.4 million homes and offices must use 30% less gas and electricity than today. "To bring this about a covenant with the energy sector, the construction and installation sector and the housing corporations was concluded. This is supported by the Meer Met Minder Foundation", Chris Bruijnes explains. Consequently, the Meer Met Minder Foundation drives on the national energy saving policy laid down in the Schoon en Zuinig work programme.

The Hague must get it right

There are plenty of opportunities for saving energy in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, according to the report 'Verkenning Schoon en Zuinig' published in April 2009 by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) it hasn’t yet been possible to use even 2% less energy. Chris Bruijnes sometimes gets annoyed by such reports. "A fixed annual savings percentage isn’t something you can achieve starting from day one; indeed, it can even stand in the way of the process, especially in the start-up phase. For me, that’s not what’s it’s all about. Take a look around you: in 2008 and 2009 the Netherlands was in deep crisis and that still making its effect felt. The sale of houses has stagnated. Construction companies have had other things on their mind than energy saving. So in my opinion an annual percentage target is not what’s required, because if you don’t achieve it, people start to think that the politicians in The Hague don’t know what they’re doing.

You’re much better off concentrating on the long-term target of, say, 50% less energy consumption. That gives comfort without any loss of ambition. Of course you have to take stock of the process at least once a year to find out whether the trend is being bucked to a sufficient degree."

Reinvent energy label

Bruijnes also admits that it isn’t easy to get consumers and businesses to use less energy. "Making it attractive is an art", he says. "You really have to do things properly and learn from convincing and helping the consumer. After all, 'making a fuss about it' creates resistance, and that is best avoided. You have to dig deep and focus on natural opportunities such as home improvement or relocation and on emphasizing comfort and saving. So you shouldn’t promote just one aspect, such as insulation or double glazing. What’s required is an integrated approach. The energy label has to play a major role in this."

Energy savings market

Another topic is the role of the energy companies. Member of Parliament Diederik Samsom called on the energy sector several times in 2009 to help consumers save energy. According to the PvdA politician it hasn’t gone far enough.

Bruijnes of Meer Met Minder shares that view. "I expect a lot more to happen than is now the case,’ he confirms. ‘As far as I am concerned Nuon is a positive exception to this. Among the energy companies, they are more or less the inventor of the energy savings market."

Opportunities for energy companies

"For example, you could outsource your entire energy management. The energy company takes the necessary measures on your behalf and you pay them for it by setting them off against the savings you make. And there are extra services you could link to this as well. The best thing would be if the predicted energy saving could be guaranteed, just like the guarantee you get when you buy an iPod.

An objection that is frequently thrown up is that householders waste more if their home is energy-efficient. I don’t think that happens often, any more than you allow your camera to ‘disappear’ just because you have travel insurance. It happens, but not very often."

Nuon has made a start by selling low-energy bulbs and other energy-saving devices on credit. The products are paid for through the lower energy bill that results from lower consumption. They have a return time of less than a year. "Other companies do this too", says Bruijnes. "For example, there are mortgage lenders that help you with finance and subsidies. I expect such initiatives from the energy sector these days. Energy companies must take a more active attitude and provide an energy saving service. If you 'make a fuss', it won’t work."