E.ON Italia is leading Italy’s renewable energy transition by fostering a sustainability-focused culture within its workforce and engaging the broader community. The journey began in 2014, when E.ON Group announced its divestment from fossil fuels and nuclear energy, shifting its focus to renewable energy and energy efficiency.
In 2016, E.ON Italia launched a marketing campaign titled “Odiamo Gli Sprechi” (“We Hate Waste”), which included an eye-catching art installation in Milan that depicted a building frozen in time due to excessive air-conditioning use. This campaign not only raised awareness about energy waste but also underscored the company’s commitment to a decentralized energy model, where consumers utilize local energy sources like solar panels and heat pumps.
Under CEO Péter Ilyés, who joined in 2016, E.ON Italia expanded its sustainability initiatives. The company introduced innovative offerings, such as a gas plan that funded tree planting in Italy—one tree for each new customer contract—aiming to absorb CO2 and improve local air quality. Employee engagement initiatives also increased, with educational programs on sustainability for school students and partnerships with environmental organizations like Legambiente for beach clean-up activities.
In 2021, Frank Meyer succeeded Ilyés as CEO with an ambitious goal: to position E.ON Italia as the leading provider of green energy in the country. At the time, less than 20% of the company’s energy sales came from decentralized sources. Meyer emphasized the need for a societal-wide engagement in the renewable energy transition, stating that effective solutions to grand challenges must involve collaboration beyond corporate interests.
To align the company around this new vision, Meyer implemented a strategy activation plan in collaboration with the TATIN Institute for Strategy Activation. This process included interviews with senior leadership and workshops with employees to gather insights on the renewable transition. The result was a strategic map that illustrated the company’s vision, which was displayed prominently in the office to ensure widespread understanding among staff.
Meyer also introduced “Team Tinys,” a gamified approach encouraging employees to engage with the new strategy through small, actionable tasks. This initiative aimed to create immediate impacts within teams, fostering motivation and collaboration towards common goals.
Since its inception, E.ON Italia has transitioned from being a smaller player in the energy sector, competing against larger firms like Enel, to becoming a market leader in renewable solutions. The company’s strategies and employee involvement have positioned it as a key player in Italy’s energy landscape, illustrating the power of corporate responsibility in addressing environmental challenges and shaping a sustainable future.
