An attempt to evaluate the effect of technologies used in drainage works on cumulated energy consumption was made in the paper. The research concerned enterprises dealing with drainage works and located in the province of Olsztyn. It was found that the furrow technology — based on vessel excavators and ceramic drain-piges - was the most energy-consuming. The level of energy consumption was here equal to 46-50 GJ per 1000 rm of drainage net (ie 35-48 GJ per ha, depending on net density), while in the case of non-furrow technology with PCV drain-pipes, which was the least energy- consuming, it amounted to 32-33 GJ/1000 rm of the net. All kinds of expenditures influenced the differences in the level of energy consumption between individual technologies. What follows, the proper selection of a technology is of primary importance, as it leads to saving energy. The scale of such savings (resulting from the differences between technologies) may reach even 20%.