The current energy crisis and the authorities’ call on companies to reduce consumption during peak periods show that energy has become one of the most important competitiveness variables for the business environment, reveals an analysis by the company BuildGreen.

According to it, decarbonization must be viewed not only as an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) component, but also as a cost management tool and operational risk reduction tool.

At the same time, companies that have conducted energy audits and built efficiency strategies have a concrete advantage today, because they know exactly where they consume energy, which are the processes with high energy intensity and where they can intervene quickly to reduce consumption without major impact on the activity.

“In times of pressure on the energy system, the difference between a company that has data and one that does not has it becomes essential. Organizations that have measured their consumption and invested in efficiency can make quick and well-founded decisions, with an immediate effect on costs and the continuity of operations,” said Răzvan Nica, founder and CEO of BuildGreen and CarbonTool, quoted in the analysis.

This type of data-based training also allows participation in energy flexibility programs (demand response), through which large consumers temporarily reduce their energy needs during peak periods to contribute to balancing the energy system. The concept has been present for several years in the international LEED standard and was recently introduced in the BREEAM methodology, which encourages the design and operation of buildings so that they can flexibly respond to the demands of the electricity grid.

In practice, a high-performance building can temporarily reduce energy demand by optimizing air conditioning and ventilation systems, adjusting indoor temperatures or turning off non-essential equipment, without a significant impact on the comfort of the occupants. In some markets, owners or operators are remunerated for the capacity they make available to the energy system during such intervals.

According to the analysis, the current context confirms the structural vulnerabilities of the energy system. ANRE data shows that, in March 2026, Romania’s energy production came from 28.2% hydropower, 22.7% natural gas and 20.7% nuclear power.

Together, hydropower and nuclear power accounted for almost half of the national electricity production.

At the same time, the flow of the Danube dropped to approximately 1,400 cubic meters per second, the lowest level in the last 40 years, directly affecting two of the country’s most important energy sources.

Furthermore, data from the National Institute of Statistics show that nuclear power production decreased by 12.3% in the first five months of 2026, compared to the same period last year. It is worth noting that this pressure on the energy system was manifested even when electricity consumption was 3.4% lower than in the same period in 2025.

“The data shows that energy volatility is no longer an exceptional scenario. For companies, the lesson is clear. Those that consume more efficiently and constantly monitor their energy performance will be less vulnerable to market shocks, cost increases and disruptions to operational chains,” explains Răzvan Nica.

According to BuildGreen, an energy audit is one of the fastest ways for an organization to identify savings opportunities and build an investment plan based on profitability. In many cases, the first measures can be implemented without significant investments, by optimizing operating programs and eliminating unnecessary consumption.

For the industrial, logistics, retail and residential sectors, where energy is a significant component of operational costs, energy efficiency generates direct benefits, such as reduced costs, increased financial predictability and improved long-term competitiveness.

BuildGreen is a company specialized in sustainable design, carbon neutrality, decarbonization, sustainability audits and certifications LEED, BREEAM and other similar international systems. With offices in Bucharest and Prague, BuildGreen covers over ten million square meters of high-quality properties in Central and Eastern Europe.