Industrial energy audit, a tool for operational efficiency
Looking to start your energy transition? Conducting an industrial audit is a crucial first step! Performed by experts, this audit will provide an overview of your consumption and guide you through the actions needed for a successful energy transition.
Energy audit to reduce excessive industrial consumption
Industrial energy audit is a process of measuring and analyzing energy consumption within facilities. It ensures regulatory compliance and identifies opportunities for improvement. This approach is also one of the means of reducing energy consumption in the industrial sector highlighted in the draft multiannual energy programming plan currently under discussion.
18 %
The share of industry in final energy consumption in France in 2023.
Source: SDES, France’s energy balance
In addition to complying with regulatory requirements for eligible companies (see below), carrying out an energy audit has a number of advantages. First and foremost, it is a lever for competitiveness, enabling excessive energy consumption to be identified and reduced. It is also a prerequisite for implementing an effective long-term energy strategy (Energy Management), particularly in terms of decarbonization. Last but not least, industrial energy audits are a valuable part of any CSR policy.
A requirement for large companies and energy-intensive businesses
The law requires an industrial energy audit every four years for all companies that exceed, over two consecutive financial years, one of the following two thresholds:
- 250 employees
or
- A turnover of more than €50 million and a balance sheet total exceeding €43 million (both criteria must be met for companies with fewer than 250 employees).
A company newly subject to this obligation has six months to carry out its first industrial energy audit.
Up to 2% of sales
The fine for non-compliance with the obligation and failure to carry it out after formal notice. The amount can reach 4% of sales in case of repeat offense.
Source :Energy Code
Law no. 2025-391 of April 30, 2025, on various provisions adapting EU law, known as the DDADUE law, introduces a new energy audit obligation. In accordance with the revision of the energy efficiency directive, French law now requires companies consuming more than 2.75 GWh of final energy per year to carry out an energy audit. Eligible companies have until October 11, 2026, at the latest, to complete their first industrial energy audit.
Companies that have implemented an ISO 50001 energy management system are exempt from the obligation to conduct an industrial energy audit. Furthermore, the law of April 30, 2025, requires companies consuming more than 23.6 GWh per year to implement an energy management system by October 11, 2027, at the latest.
Industrial energy audit, a highly regulated process
The industrial energy audit must cover at least 80% of the final energy consumption of all the company’s sites. All types of energy must be taken into account: electricity, gas, fuel oil, propane, purchased steam/hot water, fuels, etc.
The performance of an industrial energy audit is defined by NF EN 16247 standards (ranging from 1 to 4). Overall, the standard follows a strict sequence, the main phases of which are as follows:
- Define the scope of the audit (number of sites, energy uses, etc.), its objectives, and the performance indicators to be monitored.
- Collect energy consumption data. Existing data provide a good basis. Site visits are also planned to take additional measurements, inspect installations, and discuss with the managers responsible for their operation. In industry, energy consumption related to production, distribution, and use of utilities is considered (steam, compressed air, chilled water, hot water, etc.). Metering and measurement means are fundamental; the auditor relies on existing resources and supplements them as necessary with measurements taken during the site visit or specific measurement campaigns.
- Establish a preliminary energy report based on the collected data. This report must include an analysis of historical energy consumption, an assessment of the proper functioning and sizing of installations relative to actual needs. The report also includes the calculation of energy performance indicators to allow comparisons with a standard reference.
- List actions to reduce energy consumption. The economic interest of different operations must be analyzed based on their investment cost, operating costs, possible financial aid, and the savings generated. The return on investment of the various actions will help establish an initial priority ranking, complemented by other qualitative criteria (ease of implementation, secondary impacts, etc.).
- Write the audit report which outlines the company’s energy profile, assesses the energy savings potential, and proposes a list of actions.
- Submit the industrial energy audit report on the platform of the Energy Transition Agency. This last step is mandatory only in the case of a regulatory audit. This platform also serves as a resource center for energy audits and their implementation.
ADEME funds voluntary industrial energy audits.
For industrial companies not subject to a mandatory audit, ADEME offers financial support for conducting an energy audit. The agency can cover costs up to:
- 60% for large companies.
- 70% for medium-sized companies.
- 80% for small companies.
The aid is granted by the regional departments of ADEME. It is awarded upon acceptance of an application. All details about the aid and application submission are available on the ADEME platform. The aid program runs until December 31, 2025.
Call on qualified personnel for your industrial energy audit
The industrial energy audit must be carried out by a qualified auditor. There are two options: perform it internally or use an external expert. In the first case, the person in charge of the audit must prove their skills by a recognized diploma or specialized training. In the second case, the provider must hold a certification such as OPQIBI, the engineering qualification body. OPQIBI issues qualification certificates to providers performing engineering work, either as a primary or secondary activity, especially in energy and environmental fields.
Dametis obtained this certification in 2022. It reassures our clients in choosing providers capable of successfully carrying out their energy efficiency projects.
