How Energy Performance Contracting Can Benefit Your Business?

Nowadays, global agendas like the need for sustainability measures and going eco-friendly have taken centre stage for the business sector. While its achievement remains a debatable topic, many energy-saving partners have come up with feasible solutions.

In fact, the need to address the changing customer preferences has also empowered businesses to leverage programs focusing on their profits and going sustainable.

Photo by Nastuh Abootalebi

One such is Energy Performance Contracting (EPC), which has proven to be a viable solution for reducing operational costs and promoting environmental sustainability. Let’s go through the intricate details of EPC and how they can benefit your business.

What is the Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) Program?

The EPC program involves an agreement between a client and an Energy Service Company (ESCO) for the following reasons:

• Enhance energy efficiency
• Decrease consumption
• Lower operational costs 

It operates on the principle of shared savings, where the ESCO identifies, implements, and maintains energy-efficient solutions without the client having to bear upfront costs. In fact, enrolling your business into EPC is a completely risk-free business investment. This is because the payments to the ESCO are derived from the achieved energy savings.

Key Benefits of Energy Performance Contracting

1. Improved Operational Efficiency

EPC acts as a game-changing program in promoting heightened energy efficiency usage within businesses. By engaging with ESCOs, your business can gain access to tailored solutions comprising advanced technologies and best practices designed to improve energy utilisation. This, in turn, reduces unnecessary energy wastage while optimising operational processes.

2. Risk Mitigation

The structure of EPC revolves around a performance-based payment system. It is an effective way of transferring the investment-associated risks in these initiatives from the businesses to the ESCO. This risk allocation shift can empower your businesses to engage in sustainable practices without fear of adverse financial consequences.

3. Cost Savings

Implementing Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) empowers businesses to substantially cut down operational expenses. Through the adoption of energy-efficient measures recommended by ESCOs, your business can experience a noticeable decrease in its energy bills. This financial advantage often becomes a pivotal factor in improving a company's bottom line and competitiveness within the market.

4. Technological Advancements

Participation in EPC programs often opens doors to cutting-edge technologies and innovative methodologies in energy conservation and management. This exposure to new technologies can help your business optimise its energy usage and position it at the forefront of industry trends. 

How Does the EPC Program Work?

The implementation of the Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) program occurs in the following manner:

1. Audit

The first thing ESCO focuses on is conducting a thorough energy audit to understand how your business currently uses energy. This involves analysing energy consumption patterns and identifying improvement areas where changes can be made to reduce wastage.

2. Working on the Solutions

Following the assessment, the ESCO proposes tailored solutions to save energy, detailing the expected savings and strategies in a formal agreement with your business. This agreement outlines the scope of work and financial arrangements between both parties.

3. Putting Plans into Action

Once agreed upon, the ESCO proceeds with the implementation phase. Here, they put the proposed energy-saving measures into action. This involves installing new energy-efficient equipment and setting up monitoring systems to track energy usage. Throughout this phase, the ESCO ensures the smooth execution of the planned measures, aiming to achieve the targeted energy savings.

Leveraging Partnerships with Reputable Energy Brands

Partnering with reputable energy brands amplifies the benefits of Energy Performance Contracting. It stands as an advantageous avenue for businesses aiming to reduce operational costs, enhance efficiency, and contribute to a sustainable future. Its implementation, coupled with partnerships with esteemed energy brands, can pave a successful journey for your business toward a greener and more profitable future.

Are you ready to explore the transformative potential of the EPC program for your business? Start by engaging with reputable energy partners to begin working on such projects today!