Is an Energy Audit Mandatory?

Introduction to Energy Audit

Energy audit is a key process that allows companies to identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency, reduce operating costs and reduce CO2 emissions. But is it mandatory to conduct an energy audit? The answer to this question depends on several factors, including the type of business your company operates, its size and local regulations.

When is an Energy Audit Mandatory?

Laws regarding the obligation to conduct an energy audit vary by country and industry, but there are certain situations in which an energy audit is mandatory:

1. Large Enterprises:

   • In the European Union, in accordance with Directive 2012/27/EU, all large enterprises (i.e. those employing more than 250 employees or having an annual turnover exceeding EUR 50 million) are obliged to conduct an energy audit every four years.
   • In Poland, this obligation was introduced in the Energy Efficiency Act. If your company meets the criteria of a large enterprise, an energy audit is mandatory for you.

2. Enterprises Applying for Grants and Financing:

   • In many cases, to apply for grants for energy efficiency projects, your company may be required to conduct an energy audit as a prerequisite to obtaining funding.

3. New Buildings and Investments:

   • When building new facilities, especially commercial or industrial ones, local regulations may require an energy audit as part of the building permit process.

When is an Energy Audit Voluntary?

For many companies,energy auditis not mandatory, but conducting it can bring significant benefits:

1. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs):

   • In the case of small and medium-sized enterprises, an energy audit is usually not obligatory. However, conducting an audit can help SMEs optimize energy consumption and reduce operational costs.

2. Companies Aiming to Increase Energy Efficiency:

   • Even if your company is not legally obliged to conduct an audit, it is worth considering it as part of a strategy to increase energy efficiency and improve your financial performance.

3. Companies Engaging in Sustainable Development:

   • For companies looking to increase their environmental responsibility, an energy audit is an excellent tool to assess and reduce their carbon footprint, which can be important from both a marketing and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) compliance perspective.

What are the Consequences of Lack of an Energy Audit?

Failure to conduct a mandatoryenergy auditmay result in legal consequences, including:

• Financial Penalties: In many countries, failure to conduct an energy audit by a large company may result in financial penalties being imposed.
• Loss of Financing Opportunity: Companies that fail to conduct an audit may not be eligible for certain grant programs or preferential loans to improve energy efficiency.
• Increased Operating Costs: Lack of an energy audit also means the inability to optimize energy consumption, which may lead to higher energy bills and lower operational efficiency.

How Can We Help?

If you're not sure whether your company needs to conduct an energy audit, our advisors are here to help. We offer comprehensive energy audit services that will not only help you meet legal requirements, but will also bring real savings and improved energy efficiency. Contact us to find out more about how we can support your company in energy management.

Energy audit is an investment in the future of your company. Even if it is not mandatory, it can bring significant benefits that will improve the financial and environmental performance of your company.