• Commentary

        • 25 Mar 2026

        Businesses see competitive value of energy efficiency, but smaller firms struggle to access solutions

        …position in global markets. Yet not all firms have the same capacity to quickly improve their energy efficiency.New analysis of the 2025 IEA Industrial Competitiveness Survey – which covered 1 000 companies across 14 countries – shows that business leaders view energy efficiency as closely linked to their competitive performance. But the survey also highlights a persistent divide: while large companies are often well positioned to capture these benefits, many that are small and medium-sized face barriers that limit their ability to invest in efficiency and compete on the same terms. Energy efficiency drives competitiveness across all sectors, with select industries…

        • Country

        Yemen

        In Yemen, less than half of the population has access to electricity. In 2010, the government launched a National Strategy for renewable energy and energy efficiency, which aims to develop grid and off-grid renewable energy and targets a 15% share of renewable electricity generation by 2025.

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        • Country

        India

        …PV and wind doubled in the electricity generation mix from 4% to 8%. Energy efficiency increases have enabled the avoidance of an additional 15% of energy demand and 300 MtCO2 emissions over the period 2000-2018.
        India has also been prioritizing access to electricity and clean cooking. Progress in both have been remarkable: 700 million people gained access to electricity since 2000, and 80 million new LPG connections for clean cooking were created. The Government of India is continuing to focus on providing secure, affordable and sustainable energy, while achieving its ambitious renewable energy targets and reducing local air pollution.

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        • Country

        Switzerland

        Switzerland has notably decoupled economic growth from energy use despite strong population growth. This trend should continue, and the energy efficiency first principle should be reflected in all climate and energy legislation. Reaching the 2050 net zero emissions target and addressing the growing winter electricity gap between demand and production requires an unprecedented volume of additional renewable generation capacity, especially wind and hydro. For this, the country needs to shorten the complex and extended administrative and legal permitting process. This will also help advancing investments in grid infrastructure to prepare for more decentralised and variable generation. Switzerland should also align…

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        • Country

        Hungary

        Hungary was among the first countries globally, in June 2020, to make a legal commitment to become carbon neutral by 2050 and plans to phase out coal by 2030 at the latest. Enhanced energy efficiency, increased renewable and nuclear electricity and electrification of end-use sectors are identified as the key drivers towards the 2050 target. Hungary plans to build two new nuclear unit and while solar PV has grown notably, wind lacks behind its potential but the change in siting limits for wind turbines are likely to have a positive impact on the sector.

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        • Country

        Germany

        …come from renewable energy sources (and 100% by 2035) and coal is to be completely phased out. Germany has been an early leader in offshore wind and solar PV and phased out nuclear power in 2023. Major legislative reforms in renewable energy planning and siting support targets of 100-110 GW of onshore wind, 30 GW offshore wind and 200 GW solar, alongside investments in 10 GW of hydrogen by 2030. Under the Energy Efficiency Act, Germany is deploying efforts to reduce energy consumption of about 500 TWh by 2030, corresponding to around one fifth of its energy consumption in…

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        • Country

        Israel

        Israel endorsed a target of generating 10% of the country’s electricity from renewable sources in 2020. Solar thermal and photovoltaic power plants are expected to account for over 70% of total generation, with the remainder deriving from household PV units, wind energy and biomass.
        The statistical data for Israel are supplied by and under the responsibility of the relevant Israeli authorities. The use of such data by the OECD is without prejudice to the status of the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank under the terms of international law.

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        • Country

        Norway

        …establishing a low-emissions society by 2050. As an energy-rich country, Norway is in a unique starting position with respect to the energy transition. An abundance of affordable hydropower has enabled the development of energy-intensive industries and a high level of electrification of homes and businesses with limited greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, as a major oil and gas producer and exporter, Norway will need to support an evolution of its energy sector amid the global energy transition. Altogether, Norway has the opportunity to lead the world in new technologies for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors.

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        • Country

        Brunei Darussalam

        In 2014, Brunei adopted a strategic plan to achieve 10% share of renewables in the national energy mix by 2035. The plan provides the outline to introduce renewable energy policy and regulatory frameworks and to scale-up market deployment of solar PV.

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        • Commentary

        • 09 Jun 2026

        The energy crisis creates even stronger impetus for EU electrification

        …energy consumption relies on fossil fuels, of which the EU imports more than 80%.This commentary is the first in a series examining the case for electrification in the EU, identifying cost competitiveness and areas where targeted policies could catalyse change. Fuel price ratios determine electrification competitiveness To make electrification cost-competitive, electricity prices need to fall below a threshold ratio relative to the price of fossil fuels. Because most electrification options are several times more efficient than conventional alternatives, they can be cheaper to operate than conventional fuel-based technologies even when electricity costs more per unit of energy…

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