ManagEnergy took a tour-de-table around Ireland, Cyprus and Portugal to see what can be done to encourage the ESCO take-up in the market.

Miguel Feliz from ADENE Portugal said the ESCO market in public buildings is practically nonexistent while the private sector has a few succesful cases in buildings and industry, namely in the hotel & leisure sector and in partnership with industry associations. He also analyzed the national strategies and policies to encourage ESCO growth and the barriers that obstruct the development of the market.

Stjohn O'Conor from Energy Natural Resources, Ireland said that Ireland has an underdeveloped market for ESCOs in general. Within the public sector, there has been relatively few ESCO contracts issued in recent years. In his analysis he mentions the national strategies and policies to encourage ESCO growth. Regarding the barriers, he said that knowledge, cost and expertise are the main pilars.

Anthi Charalambous from Cyprus Energy Agency said that in Cyprus there is potential for the ESCOs market, and this is expected to happen as soon as the first auditors will be available on the market. According to unofficial data, more than 20 companies are currently interested in becoming ESCOs as soon as possible. As regards the national strategies and policies to encourage ESCO growth, she said that the Covenant of Mayors initiative and the Energy Efficieny of Buildings Directive are supporting the rapid development of ESCOs market. Finally, she said that they are aiming for steady market development over the next 1-3 years.

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