Energy consumption in machining processes is a very important aspect that has been given increased importance in recent times. This article, therefore, proposes an approach for identification of the most important main and interaction effects of turning parameters regarding the cutting energy in dry longitudinal single-pass turning of low-alloyed and high-alloyed steels. Fractional factorial design was applied to arrange five parameters, namely, depth of cut, feed rate, cutting speed, rake angle and cutting edge angle at two levels. Based on the cutting tool manufacturer’s machining calculator and well-known analytical relationships, cutting energy was estimated for sixteen cutting regimes for both workpiece material groups. The analysis of obtained results involved the analysis of main and interaction effects, determination of statistically significant effects and development of cutting energy prediction models.