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The year 2025 closes by confirming a complex scenario for energy efficiency in Italy. After a phase of strong momentum driven by incentives and extraordinary investments in previous years, the year just ended showed signs of slowdown. At the same time, however, there has been growing awareness of the need for more structured, professional, and measurable energy management.

Final data for 2025 show that CO₂ emissions resumed growth (+1.3% in the first half of the year), while overall energy consumption remained broadly stable. This trend highlighted the weaknesses of the national energy mix: the return of natural gas in thermoelectric generation and the decline of traditional renewable sources such as hydropower and wind had a significant impact.

Photovoltaics continued to record double-digit growth, but overall this was still not sufficient to offset the decline in other renewables, confirming that efficiency remains an indispensable lever of the energy transition.

Energy prices: a central issue throughout 2025

Throughout the year, energy costs remained one of the main critical factors. The average price of electricity in Italy stayed consistently among the highest in Europe, with levels almost double those of countries such as Spain and France. This gap affected business competitiveness and household budgets, making it increasingly clear that optimizing consumption is no longer an option, but a strategic necessity.

Declining investments, yet Italy holds its ground on efficiency

In terms of investments, 2025 was affected by the downturn already underway in 2024: investments in energy efficiency ranged between €58 and €66 billion, penalized by reduced incentives and a regulatory framework perceived as complex, especially in the residential sector.

Despite this, Italy closed the year by confirming its position among the most energy-efficient countries in Europe: national energy intensity remains about 16% better than the EU average. This is a positive result, but one that cannot justify complacency. Without stronger planning and targeted measures, achieving the 2030 targets appears increasingly challenging.

EGE: growing demand for certified skills in 2025

It is precisely in this context that 2025 delivered a clear and encouraging signal: growth in the number of certified Energy Management Experts (EGE). Companies, public administrations, and sector operators increasingly recognized the value of relying on qualified professionals capable of turning energy efficiency from a compliance obligation into a strategic lever.

Certified according to UNI CEI 11339:2023, the EGE has supported organizations in:

• structured monitoring of energy consumption;

• identifying truly effective and measurable actions;

• reducing costs and emissions;

• accessing incentives, PNRR funds, and subsidized finance instruments;

• managing regulatory compliance and energy reporting.

Certification as a response to system complexity

The year 2025 confirmed a clear message: in an increasingly complex energy landscape, skills certification is not an accessory element, but a guarantee.

The EGE certification issued by RICEC in accordance with UNI CEI 11339:2023 has established itself as a tool of reliability, independence, and professional recognition, contributing to the qualitative growth of the market.

Energy efficiency can no longer be entrusted to improvised actions or short-term solutions. The 2025 balance makes this evident: only through certified, competent, and up-to-date professionals will it be possible to contain costs, reduce emissions, and make Italy’s energy transition a concrete reality.

The year 2025 therefore closes with one certainty: the certified EGE is increasingly a strategic ally for companies and a concrete pillar of change.