Energy efficiency in facilities and buildings has emerged as the No. 1 infrastructure priority for organizations seeking to leverage it for decarbonization and competitiveness, up from 7th place in 2023, a recent Siemens survey and study finds.
In addition, a higher proportion of respondents say that onsite renewable energy production and the electrification of heating and cooling are now at mature or advanced stages, compared with previous findings in 2023. The study, Siemens Infrastructure Transition Monitor 2025, shows that over half of survey respondents plan to increase investment in energy efficiency (57%), smart building technologies (55%), and building electrification (54%) in the year ahead.
Despite many retrofits offering a strong return on investment (ROI), the top barriers to progressing with energy efficiency goals since 2023 have been cost-related, including lack of capital, rising energy prices, and the expense of new equipment and technologies. To overcome these challenges, Siemens is offering Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) models, leveraging the in-house financing capabilities of Siemens Financial Services. By aligning payment structures with guaranteed results – such as energy savings and reduced carbon emissions – large upfront capital expenditures (CapEx) can be replaced with outcome-based operational costs (OpEx).
Digital technologies are also proving critical to accelerating this transformation. Over half (55%) of respondents say digitalization has a strong or transformational impact on energy efficiency, with 56% expecting it to reduce costs, and 55% stating it can improve workforce health and safety.
“Buildings are increasingly recognized as strategic assets in the infrastructure transition, with technologies such as AI, digital platforms, and autonomous systems acting as catalysts,” said Susanne Seitz, CEO Buildings at Siemens Smart Infrastructure. “When it comes to autonomous systems, organizations clearly expect breakthroughs in energy efficiency, smarter anomaly detection, stronger physical security, and healthier, more comfortable spaces for occupants. This is exactly the path we’re charting at Siemens; creating human-centric, autonomous buildings that serve people better.”
However, only half (50%) of organizations currently have the data they need to make informed decarbonization decisions – emphasizing the need to implement building technology. Followed by a strong ROI, increasing transparency is seen as the second-biggest benefit of smart building technologies, helping organizations understand their energy and emissions profiles, plan refurbishments, and optimize maintenance.
The Siemens Infrastructure Transition Monitor 2025 explores the evolution of the infrastructure transition, highlights its urgent priorities, and lays the path ahead for business and government leaders. The report is a biennial study commissioned by Siemens, surveying 1,400 senior executives and government representatives in 19 countries across energy, buildings and industries.