Energy Performance Contracts

NRCan’s Greening Government Services provides support to federal organizations to improve energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions management throughout operations. As a component of the program, NRCan delivers the Federal Buildings Initiative (FBI) to promote and enable Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs), and to facilitate Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) in implementing projects within federal facilities.

What is an Energy Performance Contract (EPC)?

An Energy Performance Contract (EPC) is a performance-based financing mechanism that enables a client organization to leverage the technical and financial capacity of an Energy Service Company (ESCO) to design, build, and secure financing to improve energy management practices and/or retrofits within a facility or group of facilities. This contracting model is a low-risk, turnkey service that delivers guaranteed energy and cost savings. The ESCO assumes some, or all, of the initial capital costs, and the client repays the ESCO over a specified period from the resulting utility cost savings. After the contract closes, the client receives ongoing savings from energy, GHG emissions, and utility costs.

EPCs take a holistic approach to addressing energy management opportunities within a building, campus, or group of buildings. Some examples of energy conservation measures include:

• Updating HVAC systems
• Updating control systems
• Updating lighting
• Replacing window glazing and doors
• Installing low-flow faucets with sensors and automatic shut-offs
• Installing sub-metering
• Fuel switching

Find out more about EPCs by downloading our step-by-step guide.

Energy Performance Contracting: Guide for Federal Buildings

Support services

NRCan offers a variety of support services, including technical support for scoping, model procurement documents, and facilitation services to provide support through every step of the process.

NRCan also maintains a Qualified Bidders List  of ESCOs that are eligible to bid on EPCs with federal organizations. This vetting process ensures that ESCOs meet stringent requirements for technical and financial capability.

To learn more about EPCs, and to better understand how they can support efforts within your real property portfolio, contact us through the link below.

Contact NRCan’s Greening Government Services