In addition to expanding renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy use is a key pillar of the energy transition. For this reason, we continuously optimize our energy consumption and use resources even more efficiently.
We follow two complementary approaches: energy efficiency – the use of modern, efficient technologies – and sufficiency, meaning the conscious, economical and needs‑based use of energy.
Continuous improvement of our energy performance
*Under the German Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG), EMAS is considered equivalent to ISO 50001, including through the EMAS core indicator “Energy”.
Energy production
In the area of energy production, we improve energy efficiency through modern plant technologies, increased system flexibility and the utilisation of existing heat sources. This helps reduce energy losses, lower internal consumption and increase the efficiency of our processes.
These are some important measures:
For EnBW, the fuel switch represents a clear transition pathway: from coal to natural gas and, in the long term, to hydrogen. As part of this fuel switch, we are constructing new, highly efficient gas and steam turbine plants. These replace coal‑fired steam turbines that have been in operation for up to 40 years. In addition to significantly higher efficiency, switching from coal to gas eliminates energy‑intensive auxiliary systems, such as coal mills, conveyor systems and flue‑gas scrubbers. The fuel switch from coal to natural gas has already been successfully implemented in Stuttgart. Two additional plants are currently under construction, and one further plant is in the planning phase.
Eight facts about the fuel switch(only available in German)
Heat pumps use ambient heat to generate thermal energy. Large‑scale heat pumps typically start at a capacity of around 500 kW and can utilise heat from sources such as wastewater or rivers. At the Stuttgart‑Münster site, EnBW has been operating a large‑scale heat pump since 2024 that uses waste heat from the cooling‑water circuit of the waste‑to‑energy plant. Instead of discharging this heat into the Neckar River, the recovered energy is fed into the existing district heating network.
Large-Scale heat pumps: How they work, benefits, and applications(only available in German)
Battery storage systems are a key contributor to energy efficiency. They store surplus electricity and release it when needed, thereby stabilising grids, reducing peak loads and better aligning electricity supply with actual demand. We are therefore installing battery storage systems at several generation sites — for example at the Häusern wind farm in 2025 and the Adelsheim solar park in 2026. At the Philippsburg Energy Park, one of Germany’s largest battery storage systems is currently under development to further enhance system flexibility.
First battery storage system at EnBW wind farm(only available in German)
Adelsheim solar park: Green electricity for 3,300 households(only available in German)
Real Estate
EnBW Real Estate GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of EnBW AG, is responsible for the Group’s core real estate activities. Energy efficiency is a key lever: we reduce energy consumption, lower CO₂ emissions and continuously develop our buildings in a sustainable way. To achieve this target, we launched the “Sustainable Real Estate Portfolio” programme in 2023.
We are gradually improving the energy efficiency of our portfolio – through energy‑efficient building renovations, photovoltaic installations, digital metering and intelligent building automation. This applies to the whole portfolio of around 300 buildings, which we are upgrading step by step. Our objective: lower CO₂ emissions, lower consumption levels, and modern, sustainable buildings. By 2030, we aim to reduce specific energy consumption by 40%; at some sites, we are already 20% below the 2018 baseline.
Several sites in Baden‑Württemberg have already been completed or are currently being realized in line with the EG 40 energy‑efficient building standard.
Facade insulation, windows, ventilation, heat pumps and photovoltaic systems are key components of energy‑efficient building renovation.
Progress becomes visible at the Mühlacker site: the district center is being refurbished into an EG 40 energy‑efficient building.
Information Technology (IT)
In the IT domain, we improve energy efficiency along the entire value chain – particularly in data centres, hardware procurement and digital work processes. Under the umbrella of “Green IT”, we implement initiatives that combine environmental, social and economic benefits.
In early 2025, the Sustainable IT Competence Center was established to manage IT‑wide initiatives in a structured manner. Highlights include the introduction of a GreenOps dashboard to visualize the IT‑related CO₂ footprint, the reduction of digital barriers, and the development of sustainability criteria for responsible IT procurement.
Subsidiaries
Netze BW
In grid operations, energy efficiency is closely linked to security of supply. Systems must operate reliably at all times. We therefore focus on technical optimization measures that sustainably reduce energy consumption.
We regularly modernize high‑consumption assets, in particular heating systems in substations as well as in gas pressure regulating and metering stations (GPRM facilities).
The largest share of gas consumption arises in gas pressure regulating and metering stations (GPRM facilities). During pressure reduction, preheating is often technically required. We modernize several heating systems annually to improve their efficiency and thereby enhance overall energy performance.
Heating energy in substations and in gas pressure regulating and metering stations across the Netze BW distribution network is reduced through targeted optimization measures.
Heating energy in substations and in gas pressure regulating and metering stations across the Netze BW distribution network is reduced through targeted optimization measures.
Netze Wasser
Netze BW Wasser GmbH (NWA) supplies around 600,000 people in Stuttgart with approximately 40 million m³ of drinking water each year. Stuttgart’s distinctive topography places high demands on water distribution – while also creating opportunities for energy recovery.
The city is divided into 68 pressure zones. NWA uses water pressure to generate electricity: at 16 sites, it operates a total of 20 turbines (reverse‑running pumps), recovering energy in the process.
Using these turbines, NWA can generate or recover around 3 GWh of electricity annually, covering roughly 40% of its own electricity demand of about 1.4 GWh. Any surplus electricity is fed into the public grid, replacing fossil‑based energy.
Like many other EnBW companies, NWA uses 100% green electricity.
In addition, NWA implements measures across all energy carriers – from electricity and gas to fuels used in the vehicle fleet.
Since introducing the certified energy management system, NWA has achieved the following progress by the end of 2024: - 33% total energy consumption, - 47% grid electricity use, + 90% energy recovery. These improvements reduce costs and make an important contribution to environmental and climate protection.
Plusnet
Energy efficiency is also an important contribution to the sustainability agenda in our subsidiaries and affiliated companies, such as Plusnet – particularly where infrastructure is being modernized and networks are operated more efficiently. Plusnet GmbH combines technological innovation with responsible and sustainable business practices. As a digital service provider for business customers, Plusnet is driving the development of a modern telecommunications infrastructure and thereby contributing to energy efficiency in network operations.
The focus lies on modernizing technical infrastructure and operating resource‑efficient systems. This strengthens efficiency and reduces environmental impacts – in line with the Group‑wide ESG strategy.
A key driver is the consistent modernization of telecommunications infrastructure, including the transition from copper to fiber‑optic technology. Fiber requires significantly less energy during operation, is less prone to faults and enables more efficient use of existing network infrastructure. As a result, performance and stability increase while overall energy demand decreases.
In 2025, Plusnet achieved around 2,300 tons of CO₂ savings – contributing to the Group’s overall climate performance.
Switching to fiber and energy‑efficient systems measurably reduces energy demand in network operations. The reported 2,300‑tonne CO₂ reduction highlights the contribution of this technological modernization.
Energy & Climate Networks
Energy efficiency and climate protection networks are a proven approach to systematically identifying savings potential, sharing experience and implementing measures in day‑to‑day business operations.
For around 20 years, EnBW has been offering "Netzwerk Energie & Klima" as a service for industrial customers. Since then, more than 750 network meetings have been held, with currently around 120 participating industrial companies. Within these networks, companies work together on energy savings, climate protection, CO₂ reduction and lowering energy costs.