It is well known that economic savings originate from energy efficiency. But the latter also produces various other benefits at every social level. Getting to know them and understanding their importance can lead to suitable investments and effective projects that will help the industrial and day-to-day development of energy efficiency.
In order to help understand these benefits, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has recently published a report called “Spreading the Net: the Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency Improvements”.
For a single person or business, energy efficiency also produces benefits in terms of health and life quality. Indeed, emissions reduction decrease air pollution outdoors, and efficient heating and cooling systems help improve air quality indoors.
Efficiency increases industrial productivity and competitiveness, so that energy companies can provide a better service at an industrial and commercial level, to households and for transportation.
At a domestic level, investments in efficiency create new jobs. Furthermore, energy savings improve public finance, reduce fuel imports and increase the security of supplies.
Finally, at a global level, benefits for the environment originate from emissions reduction and a lower consumption of natural resources. What’s more, in developing countries efficiency also means electrification, that is, a social and economic growth driver.
Enel promotes energy efficiency in various ways. Including the highly efficient coal that is used in its thermal plants, electronic meters and technologies used to improve the daily life of families and users.
In 2012, declared Year of Sustainable Energy for All by the UN, the Group included a new programme aimed at reducing the energy divide within its commitment to promote energy efficiency as a driver of development . Indeed, Enabling Electricity reunites projects enacted worldwide that are aimed at facilitating access to electricity through new technologies and infrastructure for distributed generation.
