In order to achieve the European climate targets and boost the energy transition in Germany, it is crucial to increase energy efficiency. By 2023, the European target of energy efficiency is planned to be increased by at least 11.7%. Energy suppliers can help households to minimize their energy consumption. Through energy-efficient behavior, households contribute to climate targets and the energy transition as well as save on costs. Energy suppliers with a comprehensive range of energy efficiency measures will be awarded in the energy efficiency category at the Energiewende Award ceremony on June 20, 2024, at The smarter E Europe, Europe’s largest alliance of exhibitions for the energy industry.

Bonn, 28 February. The EU has already committed to climate targets for 2030 and 2050. At the beginning of February 2024, the EU Commission presented another target for 2040 (Source) . The EU's measures to achieve these climate targets also include increasing energy efficiency (Source) . The Energy Efficiency Directive mandates an increase in the energy efficiency target by a minimum of 11.7% by 2030 compared to the 2020 reference scenario (Source) .

Figure 1: Energy efficiency definition and EU climate target for increasing energy efficiency

The topic of energy efficiency plays an important role in achieving the European climate targets, and therefore the topic is also important for the success of the energy transition in Germany. However, some obstacles slow down an increase in energy efficiency. For example, many private households are not aware that they have the opportunity to increase their energy efficiency and that it often pays off financially. After all, the cheapest and most climate-friendly kilowatt-hour is the one that is not consumed in the first place (Source) .

A high level of energy efficiency therefore protects households from unnecessary costs, which is particularly important in the context of high prices and inflation. The rise in electricity and gas prices in Germany in recent years highlights how important it is to save energy and use it efficiently.

Figure 2: Household energy prices 2019 to 2024 in Germany

Despite a slight decrease in average electricity prices for households in January 2024 compared to 2023 which now amounts to an average of 42.22 cents/kWh (Source) , it is still significantly higher than the prices between 2019 and 2022. The average gas price for households also fell in January 2024 and stands at an average of 10.68 cents/kWh (Source) . Once again, however, this average price is at a significantly higher level than in 2019 to 2021.

Despite slowly decreasing electricity and gas prices in Germany, the prices are still at a high level. At this point, energy suppliers can make an important contribution. Energy suppliers can help their customers save energy and use it more efficiently with energy-saving advice, energy-saving tips, or offers such as the rental of electricity testing devices to find high-energy users. By doing so, energy suppliers also help their customers to save costs.

The Energiewende Award examines energy suppliers for their commitment and services, and among others, awards those suppliers who are particularly active in promoting energy efficiency. The upcoming award ceremony is scheduled for June 20, 2024, at The smarter E Europe in Munich.