Against the backdrop of geopolitical risks and continuing disruption to global energy supplies and supply chains, the European Initiative for Energy Security (EIES) and the German Industry Initiative for Energy Efficiency (DENEFF) are calling for energy efficiency to be anchored as a strategic building block of energy security and resilience. The two organisations presented their joint policy brief during a webinar, arguing that every kilowatt-hour saved reduces import dependence, eases pressure on critical infrastructure and strengthens Germany's strategic room for manoeuvre.
DENEFF and EIES point out that Germany entered the autumn of 2026 with unusually low gas reserves, while structural dependence on energy imports persists. In 2025, imports covered two-thirds of primary energy consumption. Domestic energy sources alone were enough to last only until 5 May, just 125 days into the year. From then on, the country relied entirely on supplies from abroad.
Efficiency as the "first fuel of security"
The paper positions energy efficiency as what the authors describe as the "first fuel of security," a resource that should stand on equal footing with diversified supply routes and strategic reserves. "Energy efficiency is far more than climate protection. It is a strategic factor in reducing energy dependencies. Anyone who lowers energy demand has to import, transport and safeguard less energy in a crisis," says Christian Noll, managing director of DENEFF.
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Sabrina Schulz, Germany Director of EIES, places the issue in a security policy framework. "Dependence on energy imports has become a security risk. Security of supply is not limited to new suppliers and supply routes or additional reserves. It begins with structurally reducing our energy demand. Energy efficiency is an indispensable strategic security resource for Germany and Europe."
Lower demand, more resilient infrastructure
The authors argue that diversification only goes so far: it can reduce dependence on individual suppliers and transport routes, but structural import dependence persists regardless. Cutting overall demand strengthens strategic autonomy, infrastructure resilience and industrial competitiveness simultaneously.
Lower energy consumption eases pressure on the electricity grids in particular, making it easier to handle disruptions and reducing the need for additional generation capacity, grid expansion and strategic reserves. The policy brief also highlights the military dimension: energy-efficient barracks, hospitals and command centres remain operational for longer during energy supply disruptions and require less logistical supply of oil and gas, which also reduces the burden of resupply, a factor that can itself become a risk in crisis situations. "Energy efficiency creates room for manoeuvre in a crisis. When critical infrastructure needs less energy, its vulnerability declines," says Noll.
Protecting the European industrial base
The economic argument runs in parallel: efficiency technologies for industry and buildings continue to be regarded as an area in which European companies hold technological leadership, and given Europe's resource dependence, the authors argue, this lead should be deliberately extended.
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In Germany alone, the energy efficiency sector supports more than one million jobs, and annual investment in the energy-efficient modernisation of the building stock corresponds to 2.5 percent of gross domestic product. Every euro invested in improving the efficiency of German production sites, the two organisations argue, is also a contribution to strengthening industrial competitiveness at a time of rising international cost pressure, linking the security argument with an industrial policy perspective. Neglecting efficiency risks not only higher import bills but also the loss of technological market positions to international competitors.
"Efficiency first" as part of the security strategy
DENEFF and EIES are pressing for energy efficiency to be systematically embedded in energy, industrial, security and defence policy. Their recommendations include an "efficiency first" approach in public planning and funding decisions, the consistent implementation of the Energy Efficiency Act, and an energy security strategy that expressly recognises energy efficiency as a strategic resource. Such an approach would mean that, before decisions are taken on additional generation, grids or reserves, investment decisions would first examine whether the underlying demand could be reduced through efficiency measures. The two organisations regard this as a more favourable alternative to pure supply expansion, in both economic and security policy terms. (hcn)
