Trends in industrial energy for 2025

Global phenomena such as the pursuit of carbon neutrality in Europe, the growing role of Asia in production and technological innovation, and trade tensions between major economies will have a key impact on the pace and direction of these changes. Ongoing armed conflicts in various parts of the world, such as the war in Ukraine, rivalries in the Middle East, and tensions in the Pacific, put the energy sector in the face of new challenges. Military actions lead to the destabilization of energy commodity markets, disruptions in supply chains, and increasing geopolitical risk, which may affect energy prices and investment decisions in the industry. Meanwhile, the energy transition in developing countries, supported by international investments and regulations, may contribute to the faster implementation of new technologies.

Will companies that decide to invest in these technologies be able to increase energy efficiency and gain a competitive advantage in the market? In the face of geopolitical instability related to ongoing conflicts, enterprises will need to take into account the risks associated with disruptions in the supply of energy commodities and changes in global energy regulations. The pressure for smart decarbonization and the need to diversify energy sources make investments in new technologies, such as advanced heat recovery, integration of process installations with renewable energy sources, or industrial use of hydrogen, potentially crucial for maintaining competitiveness in the market. What will be the most important trends in industrial energy in 2025? The answers to this question will depend on the ability to respond to dynamic geopolitical changes, including the escalation of armed conflicts, as well as adaptation to new regulations that will shape energy markets worldwide.

In 2025, more and more industrial companies will invest in renewable energy sources (RES) for their own needs in order to reduce energy costs, minimize their carbon footprint, and meet regulatory requirements. In many cases, the use of energy storage will be necessary. As demand for energy from RES grows, industry will have to fully adapt its production processes to the new realities. Photovoltaic installations, wind turbines, as well as biomass and biogas technologies will become key elements of the industrial energy mix, enabling the reduction of operating costs. It is worth noting that self-consumption of generated energy significantly improves the payback period parameters for renewable technologies and also reduces the risk of shutdowns for installations operating only for the grid, making the promotion of such solutions for industry beneficial for all stakeholders.

Having own energy sources along with energy storage systems not only increases a company’s energy independence but also allows for better cost control and reduced reliance on national power grids, which, in the event of geopolitical crises, may be unable to meet energy demand. However, such investments require a detailed analysis of technical and environmental conditions, as well as an assessment of the payback period for such a project. In the face of increasing pressure for decarbonization and energy independence, these investments can provide a competitive advantage, enabling companies to maintain operational stability even during global energy crises.

Renewable energy sources, although a key element of a sustainable energy mix, are dependent on weather conditions, which causes fluctuations in the availability of power in the grid. For this reason, in both surplus and shortage situations, the use of renewable sources becomes problematic in our energy system. Energy storage technology comes to the rescue, becoming increasingly important by enabling the storage of surplus energy during periods of overproduction (e.g., on sunny or windy days) and releasing it when demand exceeds current production, ensuring system stability. Technologies used in energy storage include mechanical, chemical, and thermal solutions, and their selection depends on the specific needs of the enterprise.

The benefits of investing in own energy storage systems go beyond ensuring supply stability. In the face of a changing energy market, commodity price volatility, and global geopolitical tensions, having own energy storage is a key step toward energy independence. It allows companies to reduce their dependence on traditional energy sources and large suppliers, minimizing the risk associated with supply interruptions. Energy storage is therefore not only a solution ensuring production continuity but also a strategic tool that enables cost optimization, improvement of energy efficiency, and increased resilience to market and geopolitical changes.

In 2025, hydrogen will play an important role in the decarbonization of industry. As an alternative energy source, hydrogen can be used in many sectors, including transportation, manufacturing, and power generation. Electrolysis technology using renewable energy enables the production of green hydrogen, which can be used in industrial processes, replacing fossil fuels while being environmentally neutral.

Hydrogen can also be used in heavy transport and logistics – it is one of the most promising solutions in the pursuit of zero emissions in these areas, although opinions on this are divided. Unfortunately, the development of the hydrogen industry is burdened with high investment risk, and the legitimacy of subsidizing these investments is increasingly questioned, given their currently limited impact on the economy and the availability of other transitional technologies that allow for the much faster and less risky delivery of the necessary energy.

In 2025, nuclear technology, and especially small modular reactors (SMR), will be widely discussed as a potential element of the energy mix for companies and municipalities.

SMRs are modern nuclear reactors which, thanks to their compact design and flexibility in installation, can be used to power large industrial plants as well as small and medium-sized towns. SMRs offer high energy efficiency and very low emissions, making them an attractive solution in the context of industrial decarbonization.

SMR technologies provide the possibility of safe and stable access to energy that is completely unaffected by weather conditions, which is a significant advantage compared to renewable energy sources such as wind or solar. Additionally, due to their scalability, SMRs can be tailored to the needs of specific businesses, ensuring optimized energy consumption and reduced operating costs. At present, the implementation of this technology involves significant investments and requires overcoming substantial regulatory barriers, but in the coming years SMRs may become a key element of sustainable development and energy stability for industry.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has enormous potential to transform the energy sector. In 2025, industrial companies will increasingly use artificial intelligence to monitor energy consumption, forecast demand, and optimize production processes. AI will enable better management of energy resources through intelligent energy management systems that adjust the energy flow in real time in the right direction, minimizing losses. Thanks to these solutions, companies will be able to reduce operating costs, improve energy efficiency, and minimize CO₂ emissions.

The development of smart energy grids is one of the most important trends in 2025. Thanks to the use of digital technologies and advanced communication systems, smart grids will be able to effectively manage energy flow, enabling the integration of renewable energy sources and storage with traditional sources.

Smart grids allow for the automatic adjustment of energy production to demand, reducing energy losses and improving the efficiency of the entire system. Additionally, smart grids enable better fault detection, increasing the reliability of systems and machinery. They can be implemented, for example, in large manufacturing plants, where efficient energy management quickly delivers significant savings. Thanks to the ability to monitor energy consumption in real time, companies can respond to demand by reducing consumption during peak hours or use energy from renewable sources, taking advantage of available capacity market schemes.

Further decarbonization of industry will become a key, though likely often debated, goal for 2025, as reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains one of the most important challenges for companies in Poland and Europe. Industry will have to adapt to increasingly strict environmental regulations that require companies to reduce CO₂ emissions. The European Green Deal, Fit for 55, and the EU ETS Emissions Trading System are just a few of them.

In this context, investments in green technologies, such as renewable energy sources, energy storage, hydrogen technologies, and energy efficiency, will be crucial. Companies investing in decarbonization will not only be able to comply with regulations but also gain a competitive advantage in the market. Importantly – using transitional technologies and taking a less orthodox approach to decarbonization, following the example of giants such as the USA and China, should bring the greatest benefits to industrial enterprises striving to maintain competitiveness in this challenging market.

Sustainable development and non-financial reporting will become one of the foundations of business strategies for industrial companies in 2025. Companies will need to consider not only economic aspects but also social and environmental factors. Increasing corporate social responsibility will make issues related to energy efficiency, emission reduction, and environmental protection an important part of their strategies.

The year 2025 will be a key moment of confrontation between the slogans of sustainable development, decarbonization, and social responsibility, and the requirements for profitability, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility of set goals. These discussions will not only dominate EU climate policy but will also become a pillar of strategies for companies that will have to not only react to new regulations but also anticipate them. Market leaders will implement innovative pro-environmental solutions and efficient transitional technologies. Key trends such as energy storage, renewable energy sources, and artificial intelligence will drive industrial transformation, but environmental responsibility will ultimately become the defining measure of success.

Companies that wisely implement systems to monitor the efficiency and emissions of production will not only meet reporting requirements but also set standards for sustainable management. Technological innovation combined with responsible business practices will allow them to remain competitive and profitable while actively contributing to building a more sustainable future. This combination of vision and action will determine who succeeds in the changing energy reality.

The future of business is inseparably linked to responsible energy and emissions management. Companies that are already taking a holistic approach to energy efficiency and emission reduction have a much greater chance not only of surviving but also of gaining an advantage.