Reflections on the second general assembly of the European Energy Efficiency Financing Coalition

The European Energy Efficiency Financing Coalition, launched in 2024, recently held its second annual general assembly meeting. The  Coalition works to mobilise private financing for energy efficiency, improve access to finance for enterprises and citizens, de-risk projects and portfolios, and stimulate demand for energy efficiency solutions. Its membership includes financial institutions, industry stakeholders and Member States. It was held as the world faces a new energy crisis stemming from the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This crisis makes Europeans realise that there is a need for a more resilient Europe Union. And that resilience includes ensuring our region is more energy efficient.

There were many excellent presentations from a range of high-level energy experts from a range of Member States, financial institutions and industry. I represented Energy Efficiency in Industrial Processes (EEIP) as an industry member. Members adopted the Work Programme for 2026, structured around four priorities: activating demand for energy efficiency, better use of public funding and de-risking, developing national investment pipelines, and enhancing access to capital markets. The programme directly supports the delivery of the AccelerateEU Communication presented by the Commission on April 22nd.

The closing remarks from the European Energy Commissioner, Dan Jørgensen, particularly stood out. On global instability and energy indepence: “Since then, the world has shifted beneath our feet. Once again, we have been reminded of our vulnerabilities — and of our dependence on fossil fuels.” On the impact of energy efficiency: “Had we not made significant gains in energy efficiency, today’s [energy] prices would have been even worse. . . . Without those gains, energy consumption would be 30% higher — about the same as the annual use of France, the Netherlands, Austria, and Finland combined. . . . If it wasn’t for energy efficiency improvements since 2000, we would have had to import the equivalent of two oil tankers and five LNG carriers of energy every single day.” He ended with this powerful message: “Let us seize this moment and deliver the full power and potential of energy efficiency — for our people, our businesses, and our planet.”

The Financing Coalition has its work cut out for itself and Jørgensen summed it up perfectly: “We are in a changing moment — and our coalition is uniquely placed to rise to this challenge.”

We all need to rise to this challenge.