European energy performance contracting cooperation

Project EnPC-Intrans, aiming to increase the capacity for performance contracting on the municipal level, successfully started in nine European countries, the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SKGO) of Serbia said.

Energy performance contracting (EPC) is an essential instrument for the improvement of energy efficiency in municipal buildings and services, according to the press release, when local budgets are too scarce. An objective of EnPC-Intrans, which has been operational since March, is to achieve a more widespread application in the eastern part of the European markets in transition.

EnPC-Intrans is also called ‘Capacity Building on Energy Performance Contracting in European Markets in Transition’. The aim is to increase the market acceptance of performance contracting and to enhance capacity on the supply side, as well as to support the creation of demand. The European Union supports the project with almost EUR 2 million for two years, during which energy savings of about 60 GWh per year should be achieved. The partners are currently evaluating best practice examples and existing business models.

Consortium that implements EnPC-Intrans is represented by European competence centers for energy performance contracting and e-learning but also includes various networks in charge for promotion of the EPC concept among the local self-governments. It consists of German Organization for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Climate Protection and Energy Agency of Baden-Württemberg GmbH (KEA) from Germany; Energy Institute ‘Hrvoje Požar’ from Croatia; Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving from Greece; Energy Agency of Savinjska, Saleska and Koroška Region (Kssena) from Slovenia; E-code from Slovakia; Zemgale Regional Energy Agency from Latvia; SKGO from Serbia; Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Agency Ae3R Ploieşti – Prahova from Romania; and Finance & Technology from Ukraine.

At least 50 highly qualified trainers and 3.000 well trained specialists will benefit directly from the project while ensuring the successful initiation and implementation in the partner countries and beyond in EU countries, SKGO said. The business models for EPC will be discussed on a national level with the actors on the supply and the demand side. Based on their experiences, the partners will develop training concepts and tools, and selected multipliers from the different groups will be trained. Furthermore a roadshow is planned for the partner countries as well as an intensive public relations and networking effort on European level. EnPC-Intrans receives funding from Horizon 2020, European Union’s research and innovation programme.