In its White Paper of 13 December 1995 on an energy policy for the European Union (link http://europa.eu.int/pol/ener/index_en.htm), the Commission put forward an energy framework based on the common objectives on which energy policies must be focused. Similarly, on 8 December 1997, the Commission presented to the Council a proposal for a multiannual framework programme (link http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l27024.htm) grouping together all the various actions and the means whereby they are financed in the context of an overall Community energy policy.

With a view to achieving these strategic objectives, the Commission has taken a series of initiatives in the following areas:
1. promotion of renewable energy sources ( Green Paper , Altener programme );
2. improvement of energy efficiency ( SAVE programme );
3. promotion of the production of combined heat and power

The Commission adopted 1997 Communication COM(97) 514 (link http://europa.eu.int/en/comm/dg17/514fi_en.htm) on the promotion of CHP and announced a European strategy for a doubling of the current share of CHP from 9% to 18% by the year 2010.

The economic and environmental benefits of CHP are widely documented and supported. It is Community policy (link http://europa.eu.int/en/comm/dg17/elec/heat.htm)