Energy manager: role, salary and when appointment is mandatory

Who the Energy Manager is and why this role is key

The Energy Manager is responsible for energy conservation and rational use within companies, public bodies and organizations. This role, introduced by Law 10/1991, has become increasingly central to ensuring energy efficiency, sustainability and regulatory compliance. In a context of ecological transition and rising energy costs, the Energy Manager represents a strategic reference point to optimize consumption and reduce waste.

What the Energy Manager does: duties and responsibilities

The activities of the Energy Manager are numerous and essential for energy management in any structured organization. The main duties include:

• Analysis and monitoring of energy consumption: collection and evaluation of data to identify waste and inefficiencies.
• Energy audits: in-depth assessment of systems and processes to propose improvement measures.
• Optimization of production and management processes: implementation of solutions to reduce consumption and costs.
• Management of energy supply contracts: negotiation and control of contractual conditions to achieve savings.
• Promotion of energy culture: staff awareness and internal training on virtuous behaviors.
• Support for strategic decisions: advisory role to management on investments and energy innovations.

Important: The Energy Manager should not be confused with the EGE (Energy Management Expert), a professional certified according to UNI CEI 11339, although their skills often overlap.

When the appointment of an Energy Manager is mandatory

The appointment of an Energy Manager is mandatory by law when certain energy consumption thresholds are exceeded. According to Law 10/1991, the obligation applies to:

• Industrial companies with consumption exceeding 10,000 toe/year (tons of oil equivalent).
• Civil, service and transport sector companies with consumption exceeding 1,000 toe/year.

The appointment must be communicated every year by April 30 to the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) and to FIRE (Italian Federation for the Rational Use of Energy).
How are toe calculated? Energy consumption is converted into toe using specific coefficients for each energy source (e.g., 1,000 m³ of natural gas equals about 0.85 toe). Annual monitoring is essential to verify the obligation.
What happens if the Energy Manager is not appointed? Failure to appoint may result in administrative penalties and loss of access to incentives and public funding linked to energy efficiency.

How to become an Energy Manager: education and required skills

To become an Energy Manager, technical and managerial skills are required. The most suitable educational backgrounds include:

• Engineering (energy, mechanical, management, environmental)
• Architecture or scientific disciplines with energy specialization

Key skills include knowledge of energy technologies, data analysis, project management, negotiation and communication. Certifications such as EGE, ISO 50001 and FIRE courses are highly valued. Continuous training is essential to keep up with regulations and innovations.

How much an Energy Manager earns in Italy

The salary of an Energy Manager varies depending on experience, sector and geographical area. According to recent data:

• Average annual salary: about €47,000
• Typical range: from €40,000 (junior) to €67,000 (senior)
• Senior or executive roles and expert consultants can exceed €80,000

Factors influencing salary: industrial or service sector, company size, geographical area (Northern Italy pays more), achieved results (bonuses linked to energy savings).

Why the Energy Manager is strategic for companies

Having an Energy Manager provides concrete and measurable benefits:

• Energy savings and reduced operating costs
• Access to incentives and funding for energy efficiency
• Improved sustainability and corporate reputation
• Regulatory compliance and reduced sanction risks
• Support for digital and green transition of real estate assets

An effective Energy Manager helps enhance company assets and drive innovation toward more sustainable business models.

How digital solutions support the Energy Manager

Digital platforms and digital twins simplify the collection, analysis and management of energy data. These tools enable:

• Energy savings and reduced operating costs
• Access to incentives and funding for energy efficiency
• Improved sustainability and corporate reputation
• Regulatory compliance and reduced sanction risks
• Support for digital and green transition of real estate assets

Solutions like UTwin offer integrated management of assets, data and maintenance, facilitating the Energy Manager’s work and increasing the effectiveness of energy efficiency strategies.

Assess your energy management

The Energy Manager is a key resource to optimize consumption, ensure regulatory compliance and guide the transition toward sustainability. Assess your consumption, understand mandatory thresholds and consider adopting digital tools for more efficient and innovative energy management.