As Europe accelerates its path toward climate neutrality, the industrial sector stands at a critical juncture. Achieving net-zero manufacturing while maintaining global competitiveness requires a rapid scale-up of innovative technologies, new business models, and robust policy frameworks. From February 25 to 27, 2026, the European Energy Efficiency Conference in Wels, Austria, will serve as a primary stage for these vital conversations.
Hosted within the framework of the World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED)—one of Europe’s largest annual conferences on the energy transition—the 2026 edition promises to bring together over 650 experts from more than 60 countries. The event serves as a global meeting point for public administrators, industry leaders, and the scientific community to bridge the gap between research and real-world implementation.
Spotlight on the Industrial Energy Transition
A central pillar of this year’s programme is the "Industrial Energy Transition" track. As energy-intensive industries face increasing pressure to decarbonize, this conference offers a deep dive into the practical solutions driving change. The sessions are designed to move beyond high-level targets and focus on the "how-to" of the transformation.
Attendees can expect rigorous discussions on the technologies that are reshaping the manufacturing landscape, including:
Deep Electrification: Strategies for replacing fossil-fuel-based process heat with efficient electric alternatives.
Smart Manufacturing: Leveraging digitalization and AI to optimize energy flows at the plant and cluster levels.
Systemic Efficiency: Innovative approaches to waste heat recovery and industrial symbiosis.
Connecting Policy, Markets, and Research
What distinguishes WSED is its holistic approach. Beyond the technical sessions, the conference addresses the regulatory and financial environments necessary to deploy these technologies at scale. Tracks dedicated to Energy Efficiency Policy and Energy Communities provide a comprehensive view of the market dynamics affecting European businesses today.
Fostering Innovation and Talent
The conference also hosts the "Young Energy Researchers" platform, showcasing the work of the next generation of scientists. This segment highlights emerging research that will likely define the industrial energy landscape of the 2030s and offers a glimpse into future innovation trends.
Event Information
Date: 25 – 27 February 2026
Location: Wels, Austria
Focus: Industrial Energy Transition, Policy, Smart E-Mobility
