Benefits of energy audits in companiesPosted by Choi Burch on February 15th, 2021 
Improving energy efficiency positively influences the competitiveness of companies
Following the approval, last February, of Royal Decree 56/2016, which transposes Directive 2012/27 / EU, large companies and groups of companies must undergo an energy audit every four years.
What benefits does this measure have?
Energy audits have a positive effect as companies will be more aware of how they can get the most out of their energy consumption and thus avoid inefficiencies.
When companies see that the energy savings they can achieve benefits them financially and helps them to be more competitive, it is likely that many of the measures suggested in the energy audit will be put in place.
What type of companies does it affect?
To adapt to the new standard, those companies that do not have an energy / environmental management system -certified by an independent body that includes an energy audit in accordance with the Royal Decree guidelines-, must undergo an energy audit before 14th of November 2016. All audits must cover, at least, "85 percent of the total final energy consumption of all the facilities located in the national territory." Energy audit online
This obligation to carry out energy audits affects those companies that meet at least two consecutive years with the status of 'large company', that is, that "employ at least 250 people or those that, even without meeting said requirement, have a volume of business that exceeds 50 million euros and, at the same time, a balance sheet that exceeds 43 million euros ”. It is also mandatory for groups of companies, defined according to what is established in article 42 of the Commercial Code.
However, micro, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are excluded from the scope of application.
How should the energy audit be carried out?
Given that each company has unique characteristics, the cost will vary since energy audits will have to be adapted to the configuration of each organization. The normal thing is that with the implementation of some of the recommended energy measures, the cost of the audit is more than compensated.
To carry out the audits, companies may hire duly qualified external energy auditors or determine to do so with qualified technicians from the company itself, "provided that they are not directly related to the audited activities and belong to an internal control department." In any case, the technician must have received and passed a theoretical and practical course of specific knowledge of energy audits taught by an entity recognized by the competent body of the autonomous community.
The importance of having an ESCO
In order to implement the measures suggested in energy audits, having
the experience of energy service companies (ESEs) is an additional guarantee for companies
since ESCOs are in charge of achieving savings objectives and guaranteeing the correct operation of the facilities.
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