Concentrated power for the energy transition: ENGIE at the E-world energy & water

E-world energy & water 2025 in Essen has once again impressively demonstrated its role as Europe's leading trade fair for the energy industry. With 980 exhibitors from 34 countries and 33,000 trade visitors, an increase of ten percent.

ENGIE presented itself as a key player in the energy transition on an even more spacious stand than last year and with exciting technical discussions. The trade fair reflected the growing interest in all decarbonization topics, battery storage, flexibility solutions, examples of the implementation of the municipal heating transition and the use of hydrogen. The desire to reconcile climate protection and competitiveness prevailed - a challenge for our experts to find creative solutions tailored to individual needs.

Successful start to the trade fair with networking and cocktail party

Our traditional stand party provided the ideal setting for in-depth discussions. Over burgers and French cheese, we discussed and networked well into the evening.

ENGIE - all business units in dialog

Whether sales or energy management, renewable energies or local infrastructures, energy solutions or mobility - our experts were on hand to share their expertise and provide individual advice. Particular focus:

Municipal utilities as key players in the energy transition

Municipal utilities play a key role in implementing the energy transition by developing sustainable, economical and future-proof energy solutions for their regions. They were particularly in demand at E-world energy & water 2025:
 

• Heat supply concepts: Many municipal utilities are facing the challenge of making their heat supply climate-neutral. Solutions such as highly efficient gas-fired power plants with a hydrogen perspective, solar thermal energy, geothermal energy and hybrid heat pump systems offer innovative approaches. The successful conversion of the district heating supply in Gera shows how CO₂ emissions can be reduced with targeted measures.

• Flexibility strategies: The increasing share of renewable energies requires intelligent storage and grid strategies to ensure a stable energy supply. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) and customized flexibility solutions help to balance out fluctuations in the electricity market and increase security of supply.

• Cooperation for green electricity projects via PPAs: With long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs), municipal utilities can integrate renewable energy from wind and solar power plants into their portfolio. These agreements enable long-term price stability and sustainable electricity procurement, regardless of short-term market fluctuations.

• The personal exchange with representatives of local authorities and municipal utilities once again highlighted the key role they play in the energy transition. The projects with our partners, such as the gas engine power plant in Saarbrücken, which is driving forward the coal phase-out, or the local heating network  Tettnang in, which provides climate-friendly heat for citizens, show in concrete terms how municipal utilities can make their infrastructure future-proof with targeted investments.

We strengthen municipal utilities in their central areas of responsibility, from the decarbonization of generation, the conversion of infrastructure and the use of flexibility to the development of new business areas. We are involved in various cooperation projects. As a strategic partner, as a trading partner and as a technical service provider. 

Green energy and the role of battery storage and PPAs

There was particularly great interest in battery energy storage systems (BESS). With BESS, energy from renewable sources - especially wind and solar - is stored and used when the electricity is needed most.

Battery storage systems contribute to the stability of the electricity grids and bring more flexibility to the energy system, they improve energy efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions. They also balance out fluctuating generation from renewables and thus increase security of supply. With 2.3 GW of operational battery storage, ENGIE is one of the leading companies in the BESS sector.

The demand for green electricity supply contracts, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) - long-term contracts that guarantee companies a secure and cost-efficient energy supply - also continued unabated.

Background: Why hydrogen is crucial for inland shipping

Inland waterway transport is one of the most sustainable forms of transportation. It is not only energy-efficient, but also offers greater safety compared to truck transportation. Nevertheless, the large-scale introduction of green hydrogen as an alternative fuel still faces a number of challenges. These include a lack of refueling infrastructure, high investment costs and regulatory hurdles.

To accelerate the change, various consortia have joined forces along the major European waterways, in which ENGIE is involved. Their aim is to create a holistic hydrogen ecosystem that enables efficient and sustainable logistics between the central hubs of Antwerp, Rotterdam, Duisburg and Basel.

The panel offered exciting insights into the strategies and solutions that the industry can use to overcome the obstacles and exploit the full potential of hydrogen for climate-neutral inland transport.

A look into the future: "CEO meets student"

The direct exchange between the managers of today and the talents of tomorrow was also a must at E-world energy & water 2025. At the "CEO meets Student" panel, Katrin Fuhrmann (ENGIE) and Jonas Henke, a student on the Sustainable Energy Systems double master's program, discussed topics such as:

• The development of renewable energies
• The future of PPAs and storage
• Career opportunities in the energy sector
   

The lively participation showed how great the interest in sustainable energy solutions among the younger generation is.

ENGIE confirms its pioneering role at E-world water & energy 2025

E-world water & energy 2025 once again made it clear that ENGIE is in tune with the times with its innovative solutions. The high demand for flexibility, storage technologies and green energy underlines our central role in the energy transition.

We would like to thank all representatives of our partners and customers for the intensive exchange, Conenergy for organizing the trade fair and of course our great team - we are already looking forward to 2026!