Cost-effectiveness assessment of energy efficiency obligation schemes - implications for Swedish industries

Abstract: This thesis is an investigation of whether an energy efficiency obligation scheme would be cost-effective for the Swedish industrial sector. The basic guidelines of the scheme were constructed based on the characteristics proposed in the Energy Efficiency Directive and the previously implemented schemes in other EU Member States. In order to measure the cost effectiveness of the scheme for the industries, a Cost Benefit Analysis was performed. The results of the study show that the participation of the industries in an energy efficiency obligation scheme seems to be cost effective, and the Benefit to Cost Ratios of the analysis where ranging in numbers higher than one, showing that the benefits outweigh the costs. The scheme is in general more cost effective when scenarios assuming high policy intensity for the whole economy of the country are used as input for the calculation of the BCRs, which are also affected positively when higher fuel prices scenarios are adopted. The obligation should be placed upon the distributors, since the prices of energy distribution are administratively regulated. There is opportunity of financial benefits for the Swedish industries from agreements of energy savings delivery to the distributors in order for them to fulfill their obligation. These benefits will support the cost recovery of the investments for the energy savings measures. The possibility of certificate trading in the context of the scheme is another option that can create opportunities for financial gains and stimulate further the energy market. Basing the costs inputs from other EU Member States offers an insight on how these costs could be formed in the case of Sweden, but they cannot be taken as a complete calculation of the scheme’s financial effects. As a result, this study does not offer a final conclusion on the cost-effectiveness of the scheme; it rather serves as a means of support of the final conclusion regarding the cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency obligation schemes for the Swedish industries.