More exhibitors, more visitors and a great atmosphere
E‑world 2025 once again ends with record results
More exhibitors, more visitors and a great atmosphere: E‑world energy & water has impressively demonstrated its position as Europe’s leading trade fair for the energy industry. With a record 980 exhibitors from 34 nations, the largest trade fair area to date was occupied. 33,000 trade visitors – an increase of ten percent – from over 70 nations created a positive and dynamic atmosphere at Messe Essen from February 11 to 13, 2025. The second day of the trade fair was particularly busy: decision-makers, trade visitors and industry experts took the opportunity to engage in intensive discussions on current developments, innovations and challenges relating to the energy transition.
“One thing is already clear: E‑world 2026 will grow! The interest – especially from abroad – in exhibiting here is enormous. We are responding to this and expanding the trade fair by another hall next year,” says Stefanie Hamm, Managing Director of E‑world GmbH. Sabina Großkreuz, also Managing Director of E‑world GmbH, adds: “We have once again succeeded in bringing together the who’s who of the energy industry in Essen. The energy industry is facing major challenges, which were discussed intensively at the trade fair stands and expert forums.”
Once again, it was confirmed that E‑world is the trade fair for decision-makers. Over 80 percent of trade visitors are involved in purchases in their companies. The strongest visitor groups were energy suppliers, municipal utilities, local authorities and service providers. They were particularly interested in the areas of energy trading, energy generation, storage and energy services. E‑world also increased its internationality once again. Around 30 percent of the trade visitors traveled to Essen from abroad – a particularly large number of visitors came from the UK, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
Carsten Poppinga, Chief Commercial Officer of Uniper: “E‑world means one thing above all: dialog. For us, E-World is a unique platform for direct dialog with our customers and partners. Their clear message over the past three days: secure and affordable energy is needed. We have decades of experience in operating critical infrastructure. We have global market expertise and a broad-based electricity and gas portfolio. And for these reasons, we offer our customers the best solutions and are also shaping a climate-neutral energy world.”
Exhibitors showcased innovations that play a key role in the energy transition
The tension between climate neutrality and competitiveness was a central theme at E‑world. As the leading trade fair, it covered the entire value chain of the energy industry – from energy generation, its transportation and storage to energy trading and services through to sustainable mobility.
Exhibitors showcased a wide range of innovations in the energy market, such as digital twins for the more efficient use of heating networks, solar carports, systems for photovoltaic electricity marketing by companies, automated heat pump planning and smart meters for energy-saving electricity consumption. Above all, digitalization serves companies as an important lever for achieving their climate targets and reducing costs for end consumers. Flexibility management systems and energy storage systems, which were also presented at the trade fair, play an important role here as well.
Many leading companies in the energy industry are based in Essen and North Rhine-Westphalia. Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Mona Neubaur: “E‑world shows how companies from North Rhine-Westphalia are actively shaping change and what solutions are needed to make our energy system fit for the future. This shows just how much energy industry expertise is at home here.”
Experts provide important impetus for the energy industry
The financing of the energy and heating transition was also a topic at many events at E‑world. At the Energy Leadership Meeting on the day before the trade fair, the main players in the industry discussed topics such as “Climate neutrality and competitiveness for the industry – a contradiction?”. At the opening press conference on the first day of the trade fair, Kerstin Andreae, Chairwoman of the Executive Board of BDEW (German Association of Energy and Water Industries), and Dr. Christoph Müller, CEO of transmission system operator Amprion, pointed out that energy and grid costs must fall and become more affordable.
The four well-attended forums directly in the exhibition halls also offered space for exchange and first-hand information. The presentations at the New Energy Systems Forum, which focused on shaping the transformation of European energy systems towards renewable energies, met with particularly strong interest.
E‑world is also attractive for the next generation of the industry. There were over 1,300 registrations for the Career Day. On the last day of the show, students and young professionals took the opportunity to network with companies, find out more about career paths and make important contacts.
Already strong interest in E‑world 2026
Exhibitors and visitors were very satisfied with their participation in E‑world 2025. 94 percent of trade visitors recommend the trade fair to others and plan to visit again. On the exhibitor side, there is also a lot of interest in the next E‑world, which will take place at Messe Essen from February 10 to 12, 2026. 97 percent stated that they wanted to take part in E‑world again.
Numerous exhibitors have even now confirmed their bookings for next year. New companies have also already registered their interest and want to take part in 2026.
“E‑world is the perfect platform” – that’s what the exhibitors say:
Guillaume Kraemer, Market analyst at RTE France: “This event was a great opportunity to meet our customers face to face, and make communication even more fluent. This is really important for us as a TSO to show that we are reachable and attentive, and it is always a pleasure to find out more about the point of view of our customers. It is very satisfying to see them coming with questions and leaving with answers and a smile.”
Felix Siry, Head of Marketing – Digital Power Germany Huawei Technologies Deutschland GmbH: “As an exhibitor, E-World 2025 in Essen offers us the perfect platform to present forward-looking solutions and innovations in intensive discussions with a broad specialist audience from various industries.”
Frank Elstermann, Vertical Sales Management Energy & Data Centre at Johnson Controls Germany: “E‑world is undoubtedly one of the most important industry events for us at Johnson Controls and plays a key role in our marketing mix. Once again this year, we were able to hold many intensive, personal discussions with both potential new customers and existing customers. With our presence at E‑world, we also emphasize our industry affiliation, strengthen brand awareness for the Johnson Controls brand and gain new inspiration to drive forward our vision of a sustainable building future. Customers from the energy sector can use our innovative technologies and solutions to meet their climate targets and increase their efficiency at the same time.”
Sonja Müller-Dib, Managing Director of Shell Energie Deutschland GmbH: “E-World is THE platform for us to meet all our partners. We always have something new to present here: From a once traditional gas supplier for industry and municipal utilities, we, as Shell Energy, have become a broad-based energy company with a diversified portfolio including electricity and green gas and combine generation, trading and supply under one roof. We also know from the around 600 customer meetings that we held again this year at E‑world: Our partners and customers particularly appreciate this integrated offering and the personal exchange.”
Caroline Pim, Vice President Power Systems DACH, Schneider Electric: “This year’s E‑world gave us the right setting to present our holistic approach to smart grid management and sustainable energy distribution to representatives and decision-makers from the energy sector. Our stand was well attended and we were able to show both our customers and all other visitors how we can drive forward the decarbonization of the grids with our solutions. In our view, this can only be achieved through fully digitalized energy grids, with which climate protection measures can be implemented in a sustainable and economically viable manner.”