(ANSA) - BRUSSELS - The European Commission is referring Hungary to the Court for failing to transpose the Energy Efficiency Directive and proposes a daily penalty of 15,444 euros per day. Under this directive EU Member States must meet certain energy savings targets from 1 January 2014 until 31 December 2020. They have to do this by using energy efficiency obligations schemes or other targeted policy measures to drive energy efficiency improvements in households, buildings, industry and transport sectors. Member States had to transpose the obligations of that Directive by 5 June 2014.

The level of the proposed penalty is set taking into account the duration and the seriousness of the infringement. In case of an affirmative judgment of the Court, the daily penalty would have to be paid from the date as set in the judgment until the transposition is completed. The final amount of the daily penalty will be decided by the Court. (ANSA)