Introductory Summary
From 2026 onwards, energy audits can be more than just a legal requirement—they can serve as a strategic business advantage. They help reduce energy costs, optimize operations, and lower carbon emissions over the long term.
Today, energy audits are not merely about regulatory compliance; they create tangible business value. In our conversations with clients, the topic arises more and more frequently, as audits not only help cut costs but also lead to more transparent and efficient operations.
Over the past ten years, we have conducted over one hundred energy audits, and every time we identified immediate savings opportunities requiring little or no investment—often enough to cover the cost of the audit itself. The perspective of an external expert provides a major advantage: it gives an objective view of system conditions, reveals energy efficiency potential, and supports strategic management decisions.
Changes in the Energy Efficiency Act – Company Size Is No Longer the Deciding Factor
Starting January 1, 2026, the legislation has changed significantly. It is no longer a company’s large-corporate status that determines the obligation to conduct an energy audit, but its actual energy consumption.
The category of “economic operators required to conduct energy audits” now includes any company—whether an SME or a large corporation—whose average annual energy consumption over the past three years has exceeded 10 TJ.
For reference, a consumption of 10 TJ is equivalent to:
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2,777 MWh of electricity
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292,000 m³ of natural gas
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10,000 GJ of heat
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280,000 liters of diesel
As a result, several energy-intensive SMEs will now be required to conduct audits, while some low-energy large companies will no longer fall under this obligation. This makes it crucial to check in time whether a company’s three-year average exceeds the threshold.
What Should You Do Now? – 5-Step Action Plan
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Collect energy consumption data for the past three years.
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If unsure, contact us to verify your audit obligation.
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Sign a contract with an auditing organization in the first quarter of 2026.
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Register your company on the MEKH website by June 30 at the latest.
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Conduct the first audit by October 10.
Why Choose MN6 Energy Agency?
What we offer goes beyond a mandatory audit: we provide comprehensive energy and carbon management. Our decarbonization plans include a baseline audit, the establishment of a data collection system, and the definition of responsibilities. The result is sustainable savings, which our partners experience in the first year as significant reductions in both costs and emissions.
