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Your Best Energy is more than an awareness-raising campaign; it marks a strategic shift toward establishing a dynamic ecosystem where energy efficiency becomes a driving force in Peru’s industrial sector.
In Peru, the industrial sector is a significant energy consumer, accounting for about 30% of the country's total energy use. The majority of these businesses are small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who employ near half of all workers in the country and, as such, are a critical target for efforts to rein in energy consumption.
Peru’s regulatory framework and government incentives—such as tax benefits and subsidies—are driving growth in energy efficiency services, particularly in industrial and commercial sectors. However, challenges remain. Limited access to financing continues to hinder the implementation of energy-efficient projects, while a lack of training in the sector further impedes progress. Additionally, there is a pressing need for greater awareness among entrepreneurs about the tangible benefits of adopting energy-efficient practices and technologies.
Greater awareness, more change
Since 2022, the German international cooperation for development, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, has been supporting Peru’s efforts to achieve a greener future. One project, ‘Promotion of qualification and business models in times of climate change’ (DKTI-BB), aims to create favourable conditions for SMEs to adopt energy-efficient business models that support growth.
The project’s latest initiative is the launch of an innovative awareness-raising campaign: Your Best Energy (El Movimiento Tu Mejor Energía) designed to boost the market for energy efficiency (EE) services and products in Peruvian manufacturing SMEs.
Your Best Energy has been welcomed by the Commission for a Circular Manufacturing Economy in Peru - Mi Empresa Circular, a platform that brings together the public and private sectors, academia, international cooperation and civil society under the leadership of the Ministry of Production (PRODUCE). With technical assistance from German cooperation, the Technological Institute of Production (ITP) is implementing the campaign together with Peru's Centre for Productive Innovation and Technology Transfer (CITE) network and business associations.
Collaborating and building on existing initiatives
The campaign uses social media, events and workshops to highlight the competitive advantages of adopting energy efficiency, promoting it as an environmentally responsible measure and a key strategy for improving business performance. Implemented with support from NIRAS and Dorsch Impact, on behalf of GIZ, Your Best Energy stands out for its practical approach of bringing together relevant stakeholders and aligning with existing initiatives. It is engaging a broad range of stakeholders—such as energy efficiency service and/or product providers and entities that provide public and private financial instruments—to expand the market for energy efficiency services and products tailored to manufacturing SMEs.
The campaign is leveraging the resources, tools and website of Mi Empresa Circular’s website (https://miempresacircular.pe), which is a recognised space for energy efficiency advisors to register and gain visibility. The platform shares valuable resources and tools, such as training courses and energy calculators, and industry best practices. Through the website, Your Best Energy can engage consultants, energy efficiency service providers, academia, public institutions and the business community.
Training and education efforts
The consulting team behind the Your Best Energy campaign previously developed and adapted a German Chamber of Industry course (entitled ‘Energy Officer), which certifies manufacturing SME advisors and technical staff through the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Peru. This training empowers local advisors to support SMEs in identifying and implementing energy-saving strategies and offers the manufacturing SMEs an excellent alternative to train internal personnel so that they can be the vectors of change within the company.
In promoting the course, Your Best Energy will emphasise the importance of training and knowledge transfer, as Rolf Sielfeld, Team Leader of the NIRAS/Dorsch consulting team explains: "Training with a gender focus, business model pilots, sectoral coordination and ownership of the initiative are key components for its success”.
Furthermore, at the end of last year, the consulting team focused on engaging financial institutions and international banking, testing the implementation of business models and the application of financial products to energy efficiency projects in the Peruvian industry.
Technical support and toolkit development
The NIRAS/Dorsch consulting team has also provided technical support to embed energy efficiency into services offered by Peru's Centre for Productive Innovation and Technology Transfer (CITE) network. This includes integrating energy-saving approaches into programmes like 5S Kaizen, plant layout optimisation, maintenance strategies, and the SCORE M1 methodology.
To quickly engage businesses and raise awareness, the team designed a quick and simple energy diagnostic service to encourage business owners to take the first step toward efficiency. A complementary toolkit was also developed to support service providers in assessing baseline consumption, emissions, optimal electricity tariffs, and efficiency opportunities.
In addition, Your Best Energy will continue to promote access to a free diagnostic service and toolkit that not only educates SMEs on energy management but also links energy consumption to productivity and sales.
Looking ahead: scaling impact beyond manufacturing SMEs
While manufacturing SMEs are the primary target of this campaign, the NIRAS/Dorsch team also has its sights on big business, especially those operating in value chains with SME suppliers. By encouraging larger companies to adopt energy-efficient approaches, the campaign aims to foster a ripple effect across the value chain, enabling better financing conditions and unlocking greater energy savings for all stakeholders.
Your Best Energy is more than an awareness-raising campaign; it marks a strategic shift toward establishing a dynamic ecosystem where energy efficiency becomes a driving force in Peru’s industrial sector. By enhancing productivity, reducing environmental impact, and strengthening economic resilience, the initiative empowers manufacuring SMEs with the essential tools, knowledge, and financial support to adopt sustainable practices. As momentum builds, collaboration between public institutions, businesses, and financial stakeholders will be crucial in shaping a more sustainable industrial landscape. With its practical, results-oriented approach, Your Best Energy is setting a new standard for industrial transformation in Peru—demonstrating that sustainability and competitiveness are not mutually exclusive, but rather, mutually reinforcing.
