EC energy proposals 'could create two million jobs'

The European Commission has just agreed new proposals to step up energy-saving efforts that is hoped will create two million jobs across Europe by 2050.

A range of measures will be rolled out across EU states to reduce consumption and make homes more energy efficient, potentially saving some households up to €1,000 per year.

In Dublin today to explain its implications, Irish-born director of the Directorate-General for Energy, Marie Donnelly, said: "Europe is heavily dependent on fuel imports from just a few suppliers and Ireland is at the end of this supply chain.

"Even if consumption has fallen off somewhat in these difficult times, it makes good business and economic sense for Ireland to achieve the highest levels of energy efficiency and today's Directive will help towards doing just that."