NameSilo

analysis .energy - gTLD (Generic Top-Level Domain)

Spaceship Spaceship
Watch
Today, I'll be analyzing the .energy gTLD to see if I can dig up any helpful data points that could be stacked with someone elses research into the .energy extension.

The registry operator for the .energy gTLD is Binky Moon, LLC, which is a subsidiary of Identity Digital Inc.. The registry agreement was signed on September 11, 2014, and the domain entered General Availability on February 11, 2015.
Source
Anyone can register a .energy gTLD, as there are no special eligibility requirements or restrictions. It is open to individuals, businesses, and organizations worldwide on a first-come, first-served basis. It is ideal for renewable energy companies, utility providers, and sustainability advocates, but not limited to them.
Source

Note: At the time of this analysis there was a 1-character minimum to register a .energy domain. there were also a few 1-character .energy domains left to register, but with a low-4-figure premium registration cost.

With the above in mind, lets dive right in...

Eric-In-The-Office.gif

.energy domain registration costs​

According to Tldes.com .energy domain registration costs range from $10.03 to $15.00+.

.energy domains registered today​

According to DNS.Coffee there are 26,018 .energy domains registered today.

Public .energy domain sales reports​

There's a few .energy domain sales reports online to look at.

Note: NameBio.com shows 77 .energy domain sales reports ranging from $100 to $15,000.

Some notable sales reports:
  • h.energy: $15,000 (Top reported sale)
  • 360.energy: $12,000
  • sun.energy: $4,457
  • uv.energy: $2,000
  • gulf.energy: $875
  • house.energy: $330
  • ark.energy: $100

5-year .energy domain growth summary​

energy-gtld.png

Based on the DNS.Coffee data provided, the .energy gTLD has seen consistent growth over the last five years, increasing from 14,629 registrations in 2021 to 26,018 in 2026. This represents a total growth of approximately 77.8% since March 2021.

Yearly Growth Breakdown
Year (March)Total RegistrationsAnnual IncreaseGrowth Rate (%)
202114,629โ€”โ€”
202217,615+2,98620.4%
202320,671+3,05617.3%
202423,141+2,47011.9%
202523,299+1580.7%
202626,018+2,71911.7%

Growth Trends & Observations
  • Steady Early Adoption (2021โ€“2023): The extension saw its strongest numerical gains during this period, averaging over 3,000 new registrations per year. This likely reflects the global push toward renewable energy branding and corporate sustainability initiatives.
  • The 2025 Plateau: Growth slowed significantly between March 2024 and March 2025, with only 158 net new registrations. This suggests a high expiration/drop rate during that cycle, common in niche gTLDs as initial speculative registrations fail to renew.
  • Recent Resurgence (2026): The most recent jump of 2,719 registrations (an 11.7% increase) indicates a renewed interest in the extension, aligning with the 77 reported sales on NameBio.com, including high-value assets like h.energy ($15,000) and 360.energy ($12,000).

8 niches for .energy domains​

  • Renewable Energy Providers: This is the primary market for the gTLD, encompassing companies specializing in solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power.
  • Personal Wellness & Supplements: A significant non-industrial niche where the domain is used for energy drinks, vitamins, supplements, and fitness services.
  • Traditional Utilities & Resources: Established companies in the oil, gas, and nuclear sectors use .energy for corporate branding, R&D projects, and specific service portals.
  • Energy Technology & Innovation: Startups and firms developing smart grid tech, energy storage (batteries), and efficiency-focused software.
  • Sustainability Consulting: Specialized firms that advise businesses on energy conservation, carbon footprint reduction, and green building practices.
  • Energy Management Systems (EMS): Providers of hardware and software for monitoring and optimizing energy use in smart homes, data centers, and industrial facilities.
  • Advocacy & Non-Profits: NGOs and community groups focused on energy policy, climate action, and raising awareness for conservation efforts.
  • Energy Marketplaces & Data Analytics: Tech-enabled platforms for trading energy assets, mineral rights, or providing real-time industry intelligence.

What a playful .energy domain hack might look like​

A domain hack uses the characters before and after the dot to spell out a full word, phrase, or recognizable brand name. Because .energy is a long, specific noun, hacks typically focus on compound words, action phrases, or brand identifiers that integrate the suffix naturally. With 26,018 registrations currently on record (per DNS.Coffee), many creative combinations are still available compared to shorter TLDs.

The "Adjective" Hack (Descriptive Branding)
This uses the word before the dot to describe the type of energy, creating a seamless industry identifier.
  • Clean.energy (Sustainable/Renewable)
  • Pure.energy (Supplements or Physics)
  • Kinetic.energy (Education or Engineering)
  • Dark.energy (Cosmology or Gaming)
The "Action" Hack (Verbs)
These create a call to action or describe a process, often used by tech startups or fitness brands.
  • Save.energy (Conservation/Efficiency apps)
  • Store.energy (Battery technology/Storage)
  • Renew.energy (Recycling or Green initiatives)
  • Feel.energy (Energy drinks or Wellness)
The "Subject" Hack (Niche Identification)
Linking a specific sector to the broader "energy" category.
  • Home.energy (Utility monitoring; sold for $330 per NameBio)
  • Solar.energy (Industry-specific portal)
  • Wave.energy (Hydro-power technology)
The "Abbreviation" or "Symbolic" Hack
Using a single letter or a short prefix to create a high-impact, minimalist brand.
  • H.energy (Hydrogen energy; sold for $15,000 per NameBio)
  • E.energy (Digital energy/Efficiency)
  • X.energy (Experimental or "Next-gen" energy)
Phonetic & Phrase Hacks
While harder with a long TLD, you can use the prefix to complete a common phrase or "rhyme."
  • Synergy.energy (Redundant but memorable for corporate consulting)
  • Inner.energy (Yoga or meditation)
  • Positive.energy (Community or lifestyle branding)
Note: High-value sales like 360.energy ($12,000) demonstrate that "Complete Concept" domains, where the word before the dot encompasses a full 360-degree view of the sector, are highly prized by investors and end-users alike.

Why the language before and after the dot should match
Using an English word before the dot creates an intuitive, professional, and globally accessible. Since .energy is a distinct English noun, pairing it with a non-English prefix can create a "language clash" that confuses users and weakens the brand's immediate impact. This consistency is vital for the 26,018 registered domains identified by DNS.Coffee, as English is the primary language of international business and the global energy sector. Furthermore, high-value sales reported by NameBio.com, such as h.energy ($15,000) and sun.energy ($4,457), demonstrate that the market heavily favors English-based "hacks" and descriptive terms because they are more memorable and marketable to a worldwide audience.

10 lead sources for .energy domain outbound campaigns​

  • LinkedIn Sales Navigator:
    • Use advanced filters to target "Decision Makers" (CEOs, Marketing Directors) at companies in the "Renewable Energy," "Utilities," or "Oil & Gas" sectors.
  • Crunchbase:
    • Identify energy startups that have recently closed a Series A or B funding round. These companies often use new capital to upgrade their digital identity or acquire "category-killer" domains.
  • SEMrush / Ahrefs:
    • Look for businesses bidding on expensive PPC keywords like "solar installation" or "energy storage." Companies already spending heavily on ads are the most likely to see the value in a premium .energy domain.
  • F6S:
    • Search this platform specifically for clean energy and tech startups in the United States and Europe. It provides direct lists of active companies in the "Renewable Energy" and "Sustainability" categories.
  • Industry-Specific Directories:
    • Use the Clean Energy Project Builder or the Green Business Network Directory to find established firms that may still be using outdated or long .com URLs.
  • EnergyWire & E&E News:
    • Track these niche publications for news on new project launches or corporate restructuring. A company launching a new "Green Tech" division is a prime candidate for a matching .energy domain.
  • Google Search Operators:
    • Use the query inurl:energy "contact us" or site:://linkedin.com "solar" to find businesses with specific keywords in their current digital footprint.
  • Alternative Energy Magazines:
    • Scrape the AltEnergyMag Directory for global companies active in solar, wind, and biomass that are looking for shorter, more memorable brand assets.
  • Business Wire (Energy Feed):
    • Monitor press releases for companies announcing rebranding efforts or international expansions. These events are "trigger moments" where a domain upgrade is a logical next step.
  • Trade Show Attendee Lists:
    • Research upcoming events like RE+ (Solar Power International). Companies listed as "Exhibitors" are actively marketing and often have the budget for premium branding assets.
Helpful Outbound articles and tools

Legal considerations when selling a domain to an existing business​

Approaching a business to sell a domain that matches their trademark is a high-stakes move. While there are 26,018 registrations according to DNS.Coffee, the legal line between a "good-faith offer" and "bad-faith cybersquatting" is thin.

Cybersquatting and the ACPA
The Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) is a U.S. federal law that allows trademark owners to sue domainers. To win, they must prove you registered the domain with a "bad faith intent to profit" from their mark. If a court finds you "squatting," you could face statutory damages ranging from $1,000 to $100,000 per domain.

UDRP (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy)
This is an international arbitration process managed by ICANN. A trademark holder can win your domain (usually for a few thousand dollars in legal fees) if they prove:
  • The domain is identical or confusingly similar to their mark.
  • You have no rights or legitimate interests in the name.
  • The domain was registered and is being used in bad faith.
"Bad Faith" Triggers in Outbound
How you phrase your offer is legally significant. The following actions are often cited as evidence of bad faith:
  • Targeting specific brands: Specifically reaching out to "Brand X" to sell BrandX.energy when you have no other use for the site.
  • Extortionate pricing: Asking for a price far exceeding out-of-pocket registration costs specifically because of the brand's value.
  • Passive holding: Keeping a domain "parked" with no content, which can sometimes be viewed as holding it hostage.
Trademark Dilution and Infringement
Even if you aren't "squatting," using a domain in a way that creates likelihood of confusion (e.g., setting up a site that looks like their official energy portal) constitutes trademark infringement. Dilution applies if your use weakens the "distinctiveness" of a famous mark.

Fair Use Exceptions
You are generally on safer ground if:
  • The word is generic or descriptive (e.g., selling solar.energy to a solar company).
  • The domain was registered before the trademark existed.
  • You are using the site for non-commercial purposes (e.g., a fan site or a critique site).
Note: When dealing with the 77 reported sales on NameBio.com, high-value transactions like h.energy ($15,000) often succeed because the domain is a short, liquid asset rather than a direct infringement on a specific, non-generic trademark.

Potential .energy domain investing strategy​

Based on the market data from DNS.Coffee and NameBio.com, a successful investment strategy for the .energy gTLD should shift away from speculative bulk registration and toward high-quality, liquid assets that serve the growing $18 trillion global energy sector.

Target "Category-Killer" Keywords
The most successful sales, such as h.energy ($15,000) and 360.energy ($12,000), share a common trait: they are short, authoritative, and define a specific niche.
  • Strategy: Focus on single letters, numbers, or core industry nouns (e.g., Grid, Volt, Flux, Carbon).
  • Why: These are "liquid" assets. If one buyer isn't interested, dozens of others in the same niche will be.
Capitalize on English "Domain Hacks"
As noted, linguistic synergy is vital. Pairing the English suffix with a matching English prefix creates a global brand.
  • Strategy: Register "Action" or "Descriptive" hacks like Pure.energy, Clean.energy, or Smart.energy.
  • Why: These names are highly brandable for startups and save companies millions in marketing by explaining exactly what they do through the URL alone.
Focus on High-Growth Sub-Sectors
The 26,018 registrations and recent growth spike (11.7% in 2026) suggest that the market is moving toward specific tech-heavy niches.
  • Strategy: Look for terms in Battery Storage, Green Hydrogen, EV Infrastructure, and Carbon Capture.
  • Why: These sectors are receiving the highest levels of venture capital funding (Venture leads), and funded startups are the primary buyers for premium domains.
Optimize for "Outbound" Potential
Don't wait for buyers to find you. Use the 77 reported sales as proof of concept to approach end-users.
  • Strategy: Identify companies using long, hyphenated, or awkward .com addresses (e.g., the-green-energy-solution-inc.com) and offer them the concise .energy alternative.
  • Why: The "upgrade" pitch is the most effective outbound move in a niche gTLD.
Risk Management: Avoid Trademark Infringement
To avoid UDRP losses, stay within the "Generic" and "Descriptive" boundaries.
  • Strategy: Avoid any name that mirrors a non-dictionary brand name. Focus on terms that are "fair use" due to their industry-wide meaning.
  • Why: Losing a domain to a legal dispute results in a 100% loss of investment plus legal fees.
Potential Summary Investment Profile
  • Buy Price: $12โ€“$90 (Standard registration vs. "at-cost" renewal).
  • Target Sell Price: $1,500โ€“$5,000 (The "sweet spot" for mid-tier energy startups).
  • Hold Time: 2โ€“4 years (Niche gTLDs require patience for the right "trigger moment" in a company's growth)
Helpful Outbound articles and tools

Questions for you​

  • Do you own any .energy domains?
    • If so, how are they doing for you?
  • Thinking about investing into .energy domains?
    • If so, what niche will you target and why?
Remember, at the end of the day, a domain name is truly only worth what a buyer and seller agree on.

What works for one may not work for another and vice versa.

Have a great domain investing adventure!

Thinking.png

Subway-rabbit-namePros.gif
 
4
•••
The views expressed on this page by users and staff are their own, not those of NamePros.
Unstoppable DomainsUnstoppable Domains
Appraise.net
Unstoppable Domains
Domain Recover
NameMaxi - Your Domain Has Buyers
  • The sidebar remains visible by scrolling at a speed relative to the pageโ€™s height.
Back