On 20 May 2025, the European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen convened a high-level stakeholders’ dialogue in Brussels to explore how energy efficiency can act as a transformative lever for the EU’s strategic goals: energy independence, competitiveness, affordability, and security. Organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER), the event brought together EU policymakers, industry leaders, and innovation pioneers to chart a path forward at a time of shifting geopolitical and economic realities.
Mechthild Wörsdörfer, Deputy Director-General at DG ENER, opened the dialogue by welcoming participants and underlining the centrality of energy efficiency in achieving the European Green Deal and REPowerEU objectives.
Commissioner Jørgensen then emphasized the urgent need for stepping up the energy transition of the EU. He recalled the hard lessons brought by a series of crises in terms of energy security, affordability and competitiveness. He reminded that energy efficiency is not merely a technical fix but a strategic and economic imperative, which requires support at national level to allow investment and jobs creation.
Insights from Key Leaders
A series of keynote speeches expanded the discussion from a policy to a practical perspective. Polish Vice-Minister of Climate and Environment Krzysztof Bolesta spoke about the Polish leadership during their Council Presidency on the energy landscape and energy security, while MEP Niels Fuglsang stressed that energy efficiency is still sometimes the least visible segment of renovation. Bertrand Piccard, CEO of the Solar Impulse Foundation, added an inspirational layer by presenting energy efficiency as technically feasible and economically attractive.
Then, the first roundtable tackled the persistent barriers hampering the uptake of energy efficiency within the industrial ecosystem. CEOs and experts offered sectoral insights into the navigation of ambitious targets and market realities. Policy predictability and a long-term outlook, including the efficient implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), was highlighted as crucial, with the need of a great push in the residential renovation market.
In a more solution-oriented second roundtable, moderated by DG ENER Director Rosalinde van der Vlies, speakers from Rockwool, Siemens Energy, Schneider Electric, Danfoss, and Alfa Laval showcased best practices and replicable models. These success stories illustrated how sector-specific strategies—from smart manufacturing to integrated thermal systems—can achieve measurable impact .
EBC Secretary General shared his satisfaction that many raised the potential of energy efficient renovation of buildings as a solution to fight climate change and solve the affordability challenge. He then reminded the pivotal role of local construction companies as guides in renovation journeys and the difficulties to overcome high upfront investment costs.
Looking Ahead
Ms van der Vlies closed the event by summarising by inviting stakeholders to engage with members of the European Energy Efficiency Financing Coalition, which held its General Assembly the same day. This Coalition will soon launch a call to widen membership beyond financial institutions. EBC welcomes this exercise in a time when energy efficiency must evolve from a supporting act to a headline policy instrument in the Union’s energy transition. This dialogue reaffirmed a collective commitment to make energy efficiency and the renovation sector a cornerstone of the decarbonisation of the EU building stock.
