Enhancing industrial energy efficiency: Strategies, barriers and opportunities in the context of electricity supply challenges

IF 9.2 2区经济学 Q1 ECONOMICS

Energy Policy Pub Date : 2026-06-01 Epub Date: 2026-02-23 DOI:10.1016/j.enpol.2026.115192

McArthur Fundira, Charles Mbohwa

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Industrial energy efficiency is widely promoted as a means of reducing operating costs and advancing sustainability, yet its adoption within energy-intensive manufacturing remains uneven. This study examined how energy efficiency strategies, barriers, and policy influences manifest within a metal processing plant to identify practical levers for cost reduction and sustainable energy management. A quantitative case-study approach was adopted, using structured questionnaires administered to managerial and technical staff (n = 29). Descriptive and comparative analyses were applied to assess energy monitoring practices, technology adoption, perceived barriers and drivers, and policy effectiveness. The findings reveal a strong operational culture of energy monitoring and benchmarking, contrasted by limited system-wide optimisation and weak institutional alignment. Financial constraints and competing investment priorities were the most significant barriers, while cost savings, long-term planning, and integration of energy into environmental management systems emerged as dominant drivers. Policy instruments were viewed as moderately effective at present but increasingly crucial for future adoption. These insights are valuable for industrial managers and policymakers seeking to translate energy awareness into sustained efficiency gains and improved governance at the plant level.

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提高工业能源效率：电力供应挑战背景下的战略、障碍和机遇

工业能源效率作为一种降低运营成本和促进可持续发展的手段被广泛推广，但在能源密集型制造业中，它的采用仍然不均衡。本研究考察了能源效率战略、障碍和政策影响如何在金属加工厂内表现出来，以确定降低成本和可持续能源管理的实际杠杆。采用定量个案研究方法，对管理人员和技术人员（n = 29）进行结构化问卷调查。采用描述性和比较分析来评估能源监测实践、技术采用、感知障碍和驱动因素以及政策有效性。研究结果表明，与有限的全系统优化和薄弱的制度一致性形成鲜明对比的是，能源监测和基准管理的运营文化很强。财政限制和竞争性投资优先事项是最大的障碍，而成本节约、长期规划和将能源纳入环境管理系统则是主要的驱动因素。政策工具被认为目前效果尚可，但对今后采用却日益重要。这些见解对寻求将能源意识转化为持续的效率提高和改善工厂一级治理的工业管理者和政策制定者很有价值。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Energy Policy 管理科学-环境科学

CiteScore

17.30

自引率

5.60%

发文量

540

审稿时长

7.9 months

期刊介绍： Energy policy is the manner in which a given entity (often governmental) has decided to address issues of energy development including energy conversion, distribution and use as well as reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in order to contribute to climate change mitigation. The attributes of energy policy may include legislation, international treaties, incentives to investment, guidelines for energy conservation, taxation and other public policy techniques. Energy policy is closely related to climate change policy because totalled worldwide the energy sector emits more greenhouse gas than other sectors.