SMEnergy Talks - Why is it beneficial for SMEs to engage in energy transition?

 On 28 November 2025, the SMEnergy consortium hosted its latest online event: SMEnergy Talks – Why it is Beneficial for SMEs to Engage in the Energy Transition.

The session was moderated by the Energiaklub Climate Policy Institute, led by project leader Áron László, who introduced the SMEnergy initiative, its one-stop-shop (GEKOS) concept, and the Hungarian advisory-based pilot, which involves external energy consultants supporting SMEs with audits, data analysis, and investment planning.

In her presentation, Nelli Tóth, Managing Director of MN6 Energy Agency, emphasised that energy management is not only a sustainability expectation but also a direct business opportunity. It brings together data collection, loss identification, behavioural and operational optimisation, and long-term decarbonisation planning. She highlighted that “energy efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand”, cautioning against the misconception that renewable energy is “free” and arguing that efficiency measures and audits should always precede renewable investments.

Later, expert speaker Zoltán Baranyák (Wattmanager) provided a practical overview of proven energy-saving methods for SMEs, from correcting everyday operational mistakes (for example, in ventilation, building control, or compressed air systems) to recovering waste heat and modernising outdated equipment. Using real case studies – including a holding furnace whose energy use was reduced by up to 46% after a fault was identified – he demonstrated how relatively simple technical and organisational changes can deliver immediate savings.

Finally, the concluding Q&A session confirmed strong interest in obligations, PV sizing, storage options, and operational scheduling, and reinforced a key message: the energy transition becomes cost-effective when SMEs first understand their data, address inefficiencies, and only then integrate renewable solutions into a coherent strategy.