Major EU energy providers require energy audits

Major European Union (EU) energy companies and large customers are now required to undertake energy audits under the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/EU. The Directive came into force last December and an energy audit is required every four years, writes Keith Nuthall.

According to a just published European Commission report, entitled A study of energy efficiency in enterprises: ‘The goal of the audit is to identify cost-effective ways to save energy.’  Audits can often identify simple ways for companies to save energy and money, such as proper insulation of pipes in a factory. Some EU countries provide financial incentives for companies to carry out audits − Austria, Britain Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Malta, Romania, Spain and Sweden provide help.

Small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are also encouraged to undertake audits under the directive – a German SME Energy Consulting Programme provides up to 80% of costs, with grants up to €8,000.

Some member states are punishing large companies that do not undertake an energy audit. Fines range from €10,000 in Austria to €200,000 in Romania, said the Commission report. However, the study warned: ‘If penalties are set too low, companies may simply choose to pay a fine instead of conducting an energy audit.’ Some countries have opted to charge the senior management of companies that dodge staging audits. In Croatia, erring senior management get fined up to €2,000, Ireland up to €5,000 and Slovenia up to €10,000.

The report said some member states, such as Austria, Germany, Hungary and Italy, have provided well-structured guidelines for staging audits. Others, such as Italy and Malta, have help-desks which advise companies to comply with audit requirements. Some countries rely on local agencies to spread information or stage conferences and information days. Austria, Croatia, Italy, Malta and Poland are planning to establish databases, summarising audit results.