all projects

Energy efficiency
gap analysis

Client

German Industry Initiative for Energy Efficiency (DENEFF)

Year

2024


Can the goals of the Energy Efficiency Act be achieved by 2030? If yes, then how? We analysed these very questions for the German Industry Initiative for Energy Efficiency (DENEFF).

Energy consumption has only slightly decreased

Energy consumption for industry, buildings and transport, in other words energy demand, has remained the same for the last 20 years. The 2023 Energy Efficiency Act stipulates that by 2030 end energy use and primary energy consumption should be reduced by almost 27 percent and almost 40 percent respectively in comparison to 2008.

Current measures would see a reduction in end energy use of 375 terawatt hours by 2030 compared to 2008. However, this represents only 56 percent of the necessary saving.

When it comes to primary energy consumption the current measures would lead to 90 percent of required savings being achieved. This can be attributed to the intense expansion of renewable electricity production.

Three propositions to increase energy efficiency

Achieving efficiency goals by the year 2030 will require increased efforts and further instruments to be put in place. This includes an ambitious price policy and the consequent implementation of efficiency measures.

Our study examined the following three propositions:

  • Increasing the CO2 price in the German Fuel Emissions Trading Act
  • Efficiency obligation for buildings
  • Obligatory implementation of measures in the energy and environmental management systems context

Our calculations show that these three instruments could significantly contribute to the sinking of energy use. However, further action will be required.

Our approach

On the basis of an energy scenario for the year 2030, it was estimated whether the goals set by the Energy Efficiency Act will be reached and how big the deficit might be. In addition, three instruments were described and their contribution to the closing of the gap estimated. For this purpose, Prognos’ business-as-usual scenario was used. This scenario takes into consideration energy and climate political instruments that are implemented up until 2023, or at least those that have been approved, including the amendment to the 2023 Buildings Energy Act.

Links and downloads

To the study (PDF in German)

Project team: Dr Andreas Kemmler, Paurnima Kulkarni, Friedrich Seefeldt

Latest update: 24.05.2024

Do you have questions?

Your contact at Prognos

Dr Andreas Kemmler

Senior Project Manager

View profile

Friedrich Seefeldt

Partner, Director

View profile

Mehr Studien & Projekte zu diesem Thema

More studies & projects on this topic

Scenarios for calculating the cost of Germany’s transport transition

2024
| Project

What level of investment will be required to ensure a climate-neutral transport sector by 2045? We calculated this on behalf of Agora Verkehrswende, based on three scenarios.

Economic impact analysis for selected SDGs

ongoing
| Project

A foundation group commissioned us to use KPIs to visualise the impact of its activities within identified focus SDGs.

Electricity grid expansion makes headway

2020
| Project

For over 15 years now Prognos has been bringing together the actors concerned by the expansion of the electricity grid and facilitating dialogue between them – from the Danish to the Swiss bor-der.

Support for the Just Transition Platform

2024
| Project

Through the Just Transition Platform (JTP), the EU supports the member states and regions in achieving their climate targets in a fair manner. Prognos provided the JTP with in-depth analyses and knowledge management.

12th Energy Transition Monitoring

2024
| Project

The energy transition is still lagging behind its goals – such are the findings of our 12th Monitoring Report. In two of the four areas, the lights remain on red.

Annual Energy Transition Monitoring

ongoing
| Project

What is the status of the energy transition in Germany? Since 2012, Prognos has been monitoring the energy transition in Bavaria and Germany on behalf of the vbw.

German energy market design

2024
| Project

In the coming years new renewable power plants will have to be built – but also flexible gas power plants, which can be used when required. We examined various incentive instruments on behalf of the vbw.

Alternative transport scenario for Germany

2024
| Project

Environmental organisations have tasked Prognos with adapting selected assumptions from the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure transport forecasts to facilitate climate-friendly transport development.

Ex-post analysis of energy consumption in Switzerland 2022

2023
| Project update

Final energy consumption in Switzerland for the year 2022 was around 4 percent less than in the year 2021. Mobility (32 percent) accounted for the largest share.

Socioeconomic scenarios for Switzerland

ongoing
| Project

What will Switzerland look like in the future? A welfare state in a fair world or an energy guzzler in fortress Europe? We examine the potential impacts of different scenarios on greenhouse gas emissions.

About us

Prognos – Providing Orientation.

Prognos is one of the oldest economic research centres in Europe. Founded at the University of Basel, Prognos experts have been conducting research for a wide range of clients from the public and private sectors since 1959 – politically independent, scientifically sound.

Learn more