Energy efficiency has long been promoted at European level. The European Commission has certainly made great efforts to support it and to ensure that energy savings can contribute to the EU’s energy priorities, namely reduction of carbon emissions, lowering of energy costs and increase of energy independence. The EU has introduced energy efficiency targets, created a regulatory framework to support energy efficiency and the uptake of energy efficient products and provided significant funding. However, so far energy efficiency has not lived up to its expectations, which is disappointing considering the huge amount of resources spent to promote it. In this Energy Flash we look why the EU’s policies have so far have not had the desired effect, what is being done to change this and which sectors are best placed to benefit from the renewed efforts.