Achieving the energy efficiency targets: The key role of innovative energy supply companies

Speaker: Dr. Werner Brinker, CEO, EWE AG

Energy efficiency has been identified as the most cost-effective way to save energy, to reduce CO2 emissions and to improve the energy system at the same time. Without a substantial increase in energy efficiency, it will neither be possible to achieve security of supply nor climate protection goals. Creating a larger market for energy services will therefore be crucial for meeting the ambitious target.

Many actors in the market are needed in order to meet the energy efficiency targets. In the past, the focus has been on the role of SME’s. Greater recognition should however also be given to the role of innovative energy supply companies as credible champions of improvements in energy efficiency.

They can offer a wide range of expertise and services in this field and thereby meet their customers’ demand. Only a consistent political support for appropriate products and energy services will enable significant progress to be made towards improving energy efficiency both for commercial and private customers.

Given the publication of the European Energy Efficiency Action Plan by the European Commission at the beginning of March, this dinner debate came at the right time to address these issues.

Mr Werner Brinker, CEO of EWE and the audience discussed the role of innovative energy supply companies in meeting the energy efficiency targets and the solutions they can offer for modernising and actively involving the customer to the benefit of all.