Christiane Egger, O. O. Energiesparverband Christine Ohlinger, O. O. Energiesparverband LandstraRe 45, 4020 Linz T: +43-732-7720-14380, F: -14383 E: office@esv. or. at. I: www. esv. or. at

Based on the regional energy strategy and implemented by O. O. Energiesparverband, the regional energy agency of Upper Austria, a commercial buildings programme was launched. The new programme is based on the successful previous buildings programmes which led to a 30% energy reduction in 95% of all new one-family houses since 1993.

The commercial building programme features especially low energy and passive house commercial buildings and includes a number of support activities ranging from energy and auditing services, information and awareness raising activities and a regional third party financing programme to special supports for industry & companies and a regional R&D programme.

Introduction

The basis of all programmes is the Upper Austrian energy strategy and action plan. It started in 1994, when the first Energy Plan was passed which defined concrete goals to reduce fossil fuel consumption by increasing both energy efficiency (EE) and the use of renewable energy sources (RES) by the year 2000. A comprehensive energy action plan was developed and implemented, which led to the significant market development of RES:

• increase of RES from 25% in 1993 to more than 30% in the year 2002

• reduction of energy consumption in new single-family buildings by more than 30% since 1993

• in total, renewable energy sources provide or secure employment for 15,000 people.

In the year 2000, the Upper Austrian Government passed the "Energy 21" strategy, continuing the strategy of the successful first energy plan (1994-2000) into the 21st century. Concrete goals were defined to be reached by 2010, including for example:

• doubling biomass and solar thermal installations

• increasing energy efficiency by 1 % annually

Again the new energy strategy combines a clear political commitment and targets with the implementation of a detailed action plan. O. O. Energiesparverband is responsible for the implementation of most of the measures included in the action plan. One central activity within the energy strategy and action plan is the new commercial buildings programme.