Member States should use the energy efficiency first principle, which means to consider, before taking energy planning, policy and investment decisions, whether cost-efficient, technically, economically and environmentally sound alternative energy efficiency measures could replace in whole or in part the envisaged planning, policy and investment measures, whilst still achieving the objectives of the respective decisions.
Ba cheart do na Ballstáit úsáid a bhaint as bunphrionsabal na héifeachtúlachta fuinnimh, ar prionsabail é lena mbreithnítear, sula ndéanfar cinntí maidir le pleanáil fuinnimh, beartas fuinnimh agus infheistíocht fuinnimh, an bhféadfaí bearta maidir le héifeachtúlacht fuinnimh atá costéifeachtach agus fónta ó thaobh na teicneolaíochta, an chomhshaoil agus na heacnamaíochta de, a chur go hiomlán nó go páirteach in ionad na mbeart pleanála, beartais agus infheistíochta atá beartaithe, agus cuspóirí a gcinntí faoi seach á mbaint amach san am céanna.