ESCO Europe 2005

Introduction
Following the success of the first European Conference on Energy Service Companies organised by the European Commission DG JRC in May 2003 in Milan, Synergy has decided to establish a new pan-European event fully dedicated the ESCO industry, their clients and the many experts and market analysts following the fast development of this new business model in the energy field: ESCO EUROPE 2005

ESCO EUROPE 2005 aims at gathering the numerous and different Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) operating in the enlarged Europe and to discuss together with policy makers, experts, clients and members of the financial community the opportunities and strategy to further promote the ESCO industry in Europe.

While the initial ESCO concept started in Europe more than 100 years ago and moved to North America, it is now showing some resurgence in the enlarged EU and Candidate Countries. In recent years there has been an increased interest in the provision of energy services. In particular some new companies providing energy services to final energy users, including the supply and installations of energy efficient equipment, and/or the building refurbishment, have started to operate on the market. What characterises these companies, defined as Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) from the traditional energy consultants or equipment suppliers is the fact that they guarantee the savings, can finance or arrange financing for the operation and their remuneration is directly tied to the energy savings achieved.
Moreover with the coming into force of t the Kyoto Protocol and the start of the EU Emission Trading there will be new opportunities for the ESCO industry. Energy Efficiency projects offer very cost-effective CO2 emission reduction potential. The new emerging carbon markets will create new opportunities for project financing and further diffusion of monitoring and verification techniques.

Moreover some new policy developments such as the new Commission proposal for a Directive on Energy Services and “white certificate” schemes, may result in a strong development of the ESCO industry.

The main conference goals:
- Presenting and defining the role of ESCOs in the European liberalised energy market and environmental policy framework;
- Presenting some successful examples of energy efficiency projects carried out by ESCOs;
- Presenting the Performance Contracting concept and new ESCO contract developments;
- Identifying the EU and national strategies to further develop and establish an ESCO business and market;
- Presenting some well established financing mechanism for ESCO projects;