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Energy Efficiency Becomes a Global Priority
A new Siemens study shows growing investment in energy efficiency, smart buildings, and electrification as organizations seek cost-effective decarbonization strategies.
www.siemens.com
Energy efficiency in facilities and buildings has emerged as the No. 1 infrastructure priority for organizations, a recent Siemens survey and study finds.
Energy efficiency in buildings and facilities has become a leading priority for organizations aiming to meet decarbonization and competitiveness goals, according to the Siemens Infrastructure Transition Monitor 2025. The study indicates a significant shift compared with 2023, when energy efficiency ranked seventh. The findings are relevant to building managers, engineers, and technicians involved in energy management, HVAC systems, and digital building technologies.
The survey, which gathered responses from 1,400 senior executives and government representatives across 19 countries, shows that more than half of the participants plan to increase investment in energy efficiency, smart building solutions, and building electrification in the coming year. These areas have matured rapidly, with a higher proportion of respondents reporting advanced stages of onsite renewable energy production and the electrification of heating and cooling.
Investment Trends and Financial Barriers
Despite the strong return on investment reported for many retrofit projects, organizations continue to face cost-related barriers. Limited capital availability, rising energy prices, and the cost of new equipment remain the principal obstacles to improving energy performance.
To help offset these financial challenges, Siemens is expanding the use of Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) models. Through Siemens Financial Services, the company aligns payment structures with measurable outcomes such as verified energy savings or reduced emissions. This allows organizations to avoid large upfront capital expenditure and instead shift to operational costs tied directly to performance results.
Digitalization as an Accelerator of Efficiency
Digital technologies are identified as essential enablers of energy-efficient buildings. More than half of survey respondents report that digitalization has a strong or transformative impact on energy performance. Respondents expect it to lower operating costs and support safer working environments.
Technologies frequently cited by users include AI-based analytics, building management platforms, and autonomous systems designed to optimize HVAC, detect anomalies, and support physical security. These tools contribute to more accurate, data-driven operational decisions.
However, the study also highlights a major data gap: only half of the surveyed organizations say they have sufficient data to make informed decarbonization decisions. Improving data availability and transparency has therefore become a key motivation for adopting smart building technologies. Better data quality helps organizations understand their energy and emissions profiles, plan renovation projects, and set maintenance priorities.
Understanding the Broader Infrastructure Transition
The Infrastructure Transition Monitor 2025 outlines how companies and public institutions are redefining infrastructure strategies to support both environmental and economic objectives. Within the buildings sector, the study details the current state of decarbonization efforts, the expectations of industry leaders, and the challenges that remain for energy-efficient and electrified buildings.
By contextualizing the evolving role of digitalization, financing models, and smart technologies, the report provides technicians, engineers, and decision-makers with insights into practical pathways for improving energy performance across real estate portfolios.
www.siemens.com
Energy efficiency in buildings and facilities has become a leading priority for organizations aiming to meet decarbonization and competitiveness goals, according to the Siemens Infrastructure Transition Monitor 2025. The study indicates a significant shift compared with 2023, when energy efficiency ranked seventh. The findings are relevant to building managers, engineers, and technicians involved in energy management, HVAC systems, and digital building technologies.
The survey, which gathered responses from 1,400 senior executives and government representatives across 19 countries, shows that more than half of the participants plan to increase investment in energy efficiency, smart building solutions, and building electrification in the coming year. These areas have matured rapidly, with a higher proportion of respondents reporting advanced stages of onsite renewable energy production and the electrification of heating and cooling.
Investment Trends and Financial Barriers
Despite the strong return on investment reported for many retrofit projects, organizations continue to face cost-related barriers. Limited capital availability, rising energy prices, and the cost of new equipment remain the principal obstacles to improving energy performance.
To help offset these financial challenges, Siemens is expanding the use of Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) models. Through Siemens Financial Services, the company aligns payment structures with measurable outcomes such as verified energy savings or reduced emissions. This allows organizations to avoid large upfront capital expenditure and instead shift to operational costs tied directly to performance results.
Digitalization as an Accelerator of Efficiency
Digital technologies are identified as essential enablers of energy-efficient buildings. More than half of survey respondents report that digitalization has a strong or transformative impact on energy performance. Respondents expect it to lower operating costs and support safer working environments.
Technologies frequently cited by users include AI-based analytics, building management platforms, and autonomous systems designed to optimize HVAC, detect anomalies, and support physical security. These tools contribute to more accurate, data-driven operational decisions.
However, the study also highlights a major data gap: only half of the surveyed organizations say they have sufficient data to make informed decarbonization decisions. Improving data availability and transparency has therefore become a key motivation for adopting smart building technologies. Better data quality helps organizations understand their energy and emissions profiles, plan renovation projects, and set maintenance priorities.
Understanding the Broader Infrastructure Transition
The Infrastructure Transition Monitor 2025 outlines how companies and public institutions are redefining infrastructure strategies to support both environmental and economic objectives. Within the buildings sector, the study details the current state of decarbonization efforts, the expectations of industry leaders, and the challenges that remain for energy-efficient and electrified buildings.
By contextualizing the evolving role of digitalization, financing models, and smart technologies, the report provides technicians, engineers, and decision-makers with insights into practical pathways for improving energy performance across real estate portfolios.
www.siemens.com
