Evaluation of mandatory energy audits

Background

The European Union has stipulated in its Energy Efficiency Directive that all companies that are not SMEs are obliged to carry out an energy audit. The German Federal Government implemented this requirement in national law by amending the Energy Services Act (EDL-G) on 15 April 2015. According to this amendment, all non-SMEs were obliged to carry out an energy audit by 5 December 2015 or, alternatively, to provide evidence of the certification of an energy management system (according to DIN EN ISO 50001 or EMAS) by the end of 2016. The Federal Government has delegated the random testing of the audit to BAFA.
The aim of the project was to investigate the extent to which the energy audit obligation contributes to improving energy efficiency and thus helps to achieve the energy and climate goals of the Federal Government. An online survey of affected companies was used to show the quantitative effects, i.e. key figures on the measures actually implemented. Furthermore, the administrative enforcement by the BAFA was to be evaluated. This included, for example, the review of the execution of the audits, the qualification of the auditor, the fulfilment of the requirements for the energy audit and the exemptions. Finally, it was to be analysed whether the audit obligation has an impact on the German market for energy services.

Publication

STAFF