EU legislation now recognises the Energy Efficiency First (EE1st) principle as an overarching consideration for planning, policies, and major investments that affect energy consumption. Yet systematically integrating EE1st into national energy planning remains a challenge. This ENEFIRST+ workshop will explore how national planning frameworks shape decisions across related processes, including National Building Renovation Plans (NBRP), Comprehensive Heating and Cooling Assessments, and Ten-Year Network Development Plans.

Drawing on the latest Croatian pilot case, experts from the Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy (IEECP) and Energy Institute Hrvoje Pozar (EIHP) will present key findings on the governance, coordination, and methodological gaps that can hinder the structural integration of EE1st into national planning processes. The discussion will be complemented by a broader review of current national energy planning practices across Europe, offering participants practical insights into how the EE1st principle can be more effectively embedded in future energy planning and decision-making.