The Energy Agency of Upper Austria (OÖ Energiesparverband -ESV) organised an information event entitled “Oö Energieeffizienzgesetz: Informationsveranstaltung für Gemeinden” on 27 May 2026 in Linz, Austria. The in-person event brought together 129 participants from 81 local and regional authorities to explore the practical implications of new energy efficiency requirements stemming from the revised EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED III) and the Upper Austrian Energy Efficiency Act (Oö EEffG).

The event aimed to support municipalities in understanding and implementing the new legal framework while identifying opportunities for energy and cost savings. Kicking off the event, Gerhard Dell, Energy Commissioner of Upper Austria and Director of ESV, outlined the key developments and highlighted the growing role of municipalities in achieving Europe’s energy efficiency and climate goals.

Participants then received a legal overview of the Upper Austrian Energy Efficiency Act (Oö EEffG) from Jürgen Frank of the Regional Government of Upper Austria. Building on this introduction, Gerhard Dell presented the main provisions of both the Upper Austrian Energy Efficiency Act and the revised Energy Efficiency Directive, explaining their practical implementation and emphasising the multiple benefits that energy efficiency measures can bring to local authorities and their citizens.

Further expert presentations from specialists at the OÖ Energiesparverband -ESV focused on concrete energy efficiency measures that municipalities can adopt in practice. The sessions provided practical guidance on meeting the requirements of the new legislation and integrating energy efficiency considerations into local decision-making processes.

A central focus of the event was the presentation of the key obligations introduced by the new regulatory framework. Municipalities were informed about the requirement to establish an inventory of all heated public buildings, achieve annual energy savings of 3% through the renovation of public buildings that do not meet nearly-zero-energy standards, and realise an overall final energy saving of 1.9% per year. Participants also received detailed information on reporting obligations, implementation deadlines, the categories of municipalities affected, and the practical application of the “energy efficiency first” principle.

Throughout the event, experts encouraged municipalities to view the new requirements not only as regulatory obligations but also as opportunities to improve public services, reduce operational costs, and strengthen local energy resilience. Speakers emphasised that municipal energy efficiency measures play a vital role in lowering energy consumption and expenditure while increasing public acceptance of the energy transition.

The strong participation and active engagement demonstrated the high level of interest among local authorities in preparing for the implementation of the revised energy efficiency legislation and advancing the goals of the European Green Deal at the local level.