Press release: Will the European Code of Conduct for Energy Performance Contracting increase quality and client confidence?
SEVEn (1), the coordinator of the Transparense project (2), will present ways to bolster confidence in the European Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) markets during the 2015 EU Sustainable Energy Week Policy (EUSEW) Conference on 18 June in Brussels (3). The session will welcome speakers from the two European associations of energy service providers, EFIEES and eu.ESCO, as well as the EESI2020 and ICP Europe projects funded by the European Commission, which will also be represented at the closing panel.
As a proven energy service model, EPC offers the opportunity to make a significant contribution in meeting the EU’s ambitious 2020 carbon and energy targets. Yet very little of its potential has been harnessed when compared to advanced markets in the USA and Canada. The Transparense conference session will explore the barriers that have been holding back EPC in Europe and will set out key strategies to accelerate its uptake.
As one of the vehicles to overcome the existing lack of trust in EPC, Transparense will present the European Code of Conduct for EPC and promote its application to increase the quality of EPC. The Code of Conduct for EPC defines the basic values and principles that are considered fundamental for the successful preparation and implementation of EPC projects. It was developed by the Transparense project in cooperation with the European Association of Energy Service Companies (eu.ESCO) (4), the European Federation of Intelligent Energy Efficiency Services (EFIEES) (5) and other EPC market stakeholders.
The main role of the European EPC Code of Conduct is to bring confidence to the EPC market in the EU taking into account its variety across Member States. The Code of Conduct already has a significant number of signatories across Europe (6) and is being put into practice. It has been successfully used to introduce clients to the EPC concept and has been seen as a unique selling proposition. The Code of Conduct is a voluntary commitment and is not legally binding. That is why it is important for clients to implement the principles of the Code within the EPC contracts and tender dossiers
“It is a positive sign towards the market and a resilient foundation for long-term business development.” says Peter Hug, managing director of eu.ESCO, which will become the European administrator of the Code of Conduct in September 2015.
“The main role of the European Code of Conduct for EPC is to bring confidence to the EPC market in the EU, taking into account its variety across Member States.” says Valérie Plainemaison, EFIEES.
The 2015 EU Sustainable Energy Week Policy (EUSEW) Conference will be held from 16 to 18 June 2015 in Brussels. It will consist of individual sessions hosted by various energy stakeholders on topics related to secure, clean and efficient energy.