The EU-TRACE (EUropean TRansformers ACcelerated Efficiency) project officially launched in September 2025, marking the beginning of a 30-month journey to unlock the energy savings potential of more efficient power transformers across Europe.
Today, we release the project’s first communication materials — the EU-TRACE flyer and roll-up — now available on the project website. These materials provide a clear and accessible introduction to the project’s ambition, scope, and expected impact.
You can read and download the materials here:
In these newly developed communication materials, you can explore the following key highlights of the project:
Why EU-TRACE matters
Electricity networks rely heavily on transformers — yet many of them are outdated and inefficient. Across the EU:
- Transformer losses account for around 42 TWh/year, or 1.8% of total electricity consumption
- Around 75% of distribution transformers operate below modern efficiency standards
- Many units remain in service for 40+ years
This represents not only a technical challenge but also a major untapped opportunity for energy savings and emissions reduction.
What EU-TRACE aims to achieve
EU-TRACE is designed to accelerate the replacement of old, inefficient transformers by supporting better policies, improved data, and targeted tools.
The project will:
- Gather data on EU transformer fleets to better understand the current landscape
- Analyse the impact of replacement policies on markets and supply chains
- Assess circular economy implications, including material recovery and recyclability
- Develop a policy support package to help Member States meet energy efficiency targets
By doing so, EU-TRACE aims to generate an additional 2.1 TWh/year in electricity savings over the next 20 years, contributing directly to EU climate and energy goals.
From challenge to opportunity
The newly released roll-up highlights both the barriers and opportunities surrounding transformer replacement:
Key barriers
- Lack of awareness and data
- Financial constraints and long investment cycles
- Supply chain bottlenecks
- Decisions based on upfront cost rather than lifecycle cost
The opportunity
- Up to 2 TWh/year in energy savings
- Around 400 kt CO₂eq/year avoided emissions
- Strong contribution to the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) targets
EU-TRACE will explore how regulatory interventions and market mechanisms can unlock this potential.
Follow EU-TRACE as we work towards accelerating transformer efficiency across Europe and supporting a more energy-efficient, low-carbon future.
Website: EU-TRACE
LinkedIn: @eu-trace-life-project
