Energy: ENEA, savings equivalent to the average consumption of more than 4 million households based on 40,000 audits

More than 40,000 energy audits were submitted to ENEA during the first decade of the mandatory  requirement (2015–2025)^[1] by approximately 10,000 companies, of which 50% are “large enterprises” and the other half “energy-intensive companies”. Based on these audits, over 1.3 Mtoe (equivalent to the average consumption of more than 4 million households) savings were achieved, thanks to more than 17,000 energy efficiency measures implemented, as shown by the ENEA data presented at the event “Energy audits ten years after the introduction of the obligation”, organized by ENEA and attended by over 400 representatives from companies and sector operators. The data show that nearly 65% of the more than 40,000 energy audits were conducted by manufacturing companies, while approximately 25% by the tertiary sector.

The workshop was an opportunity to analyse how energy audits have evolved from a mere legal requirement to a fundamental tool for energy-intensive businesses in improving energy efficiency and accessing tax benefits.

"Thanks to the regulatory requirement, an actual ecosystem of businesses, operators, and trade associations has been created, which has made companies more aware of the benefits of efficiency and therefore willing to implement energy improvement measures," explained Marcello Salvio, head of the ENEA Energy Efficiency in Economic Sectors Laboratory.

To facilitate compliance and submission of documentation by companies, ENEA has updated the audit102 portal and included a section dedicated to implementing energy efficiency measures.

"ENEA training and information activities have been continuous, with over 19 sectoral guidelines, 11 Energy Efficiency Papers, numerous thematic courses, and over 200 events dedicated to diagnosis and steadfast dialogue with trade associations and businesses," Salvio continued. "Parliament," he concluded, "should soon complete the implementation of the new Energy Efficiency Directive 1791/2023, and ENEA has already taken steps to put into effect the changes and support stakeholders in the transition to the new complying methods of upcoming regulatory obligations”.