Unlocking SEAI’s Energy Contracting Support Scheme
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s Energy Contracting Support Scheme (ECSS) is designed to accelerate high-impact energy efficiency projects by de‑risking Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs) and other energy contracting models for businesses and public bodies. Under the scheme, SEAI provides significant grant support towards the development and implementation of energy contracting projects, helping organisations cut costs, reduce carbon and modernise their energy infrastructure.
For many organisations, the technical, commercial and legal complexity of energy contracting can be a barrier to getting projects off the ground. Lawler Sustainability bridges this gap by combining deep energy engineering expertise with hands-on experience of structured performance contracts.
What the ECSS Offers
The ECSS provides financial support to organisations engaging in structured energy contracts, such as EPCs, where a service provider delivers upgrades and guarantees performance over time. The scheme focuses on projects that deliver measurable energy savings, robust monitoring and clear contractual allocation of risk.
Key features typically include:
- Up to 75% of eligible project development and transaction costs funded, subject to defined maximum cap (50,000€).
- Support for feasibility studies, measurement and verification (M&V), legal and financial advisory, and contract preparation where these are integral to an energy contracting project.
- Eligibility for a broad range of sectors, including commercial, industrial and public sector facilities, provided the projects meet SEAI’s technical and governance criteria.
By reducing upfront soft costs and supporting robust project structuring, ECSS makes it easier for organisations to progress from concept to signed contract with confidence.
Why Energy Contracting?
Energy contracting, and in particular Energy Performance Contracting, enables organisations to deliver energy upgrades where an Energy Service Company (ESCO) designs, implements and often finances measures, while guaranteeing an agreed level of performance. This approach shifts technical and performance risk away from the client and towards specialists who are best equipped to manage it.
Well-structured energy contracts can deliver:
- Guaranteed energy and cost savings, backed by contractual performance guarantees and transparent M&V.
- Modernisation of plant and equipment without the client carrying all of the technical and performance risk.
- Long-term alignment between the client and the ESCO, with incentives focused on sustained performance over the contract term.
When combined with ECSS funding, these benefits become even more compelling, as early-stage costs that often stall projects can be substantially offset.
How Lawler Sustainability Supports ECSS Projects
Lawler Sustainability supports clients across the full ECSS journey, from early opportunity identification to post‑contract optimisation. The objective is to turn complex scheme requirements into a clear, deliverable roadmap for each organisation.
Typical areas where Lawler Sustainability can add value include:
- Strategic opportunity assessment: Reviewing portfolios or individual sites to identify projects that align with ECSS and have strong technical and financial potential.
- Technical and commercial scoping: Defining the bundle of energy measures, expected savings, contract structure and risk allocation to satisfy both SEAI and market-leading ESCOs.
- Application preparation and submission: Coordinating the documentation, data and justifications required for a robust ECSS application, ensuring alignment with SEAI guidance and evaluation criteria.
- Support through procurement and contracting: Assisting with tender documentation, evaluation of ESCO proposals, technical clarifications and final contract negotiation to lock in value and manage risk.
- Measurement, verification and ongoing optimisation: Supporting clients in verifying savings, managing contract performance and identifying further optimisation opportunities over the life of the agreement.
By integrating engineering, commercial and regulatory insight, Lawler Sustainability helps ensure that ECSS-backed projects are technically sound, bankable and aligned with organisational net-zero strategies.
Step-by-Step: From Idea to Approved ECSS Project
Organisations often benefit from a structured, staged approach to ECSS projects. Lawler Sustainability can help design and manage this pathway so that internal stakeholders, ESCOs and SEAI are aligned at each milestone.
A typical high-level journey looks like this:
Initial opportunity review
- High-level assessment of site(s) and energy use to determine whether an energy contracting model and ECSS support are appropriate.
- Outline of potential savings, indicative measures and funding opportunities to build a business case.
Feasibility and project development
- Detailed energy audits and technical studies to refine the scope and quantify savings with the accuracy needed for a performance contract
- Development of the commercial model, risk-sharing arrangements, contract duration and performance guarantees.
ECSS application and approval
- Preparation of the ECSS application dossier, including technical annexes, savings estimates and governance structures.
- Engagement with SEAI as required during assessment, addressing queries and clarifications to keep the process on track.
Procurement and contract close
- Support in evaluating offers and finalising contractual documents to align with both ECSS conditions and client objectives.
- Ensuring that monitoring and verification plans, reporting structures and KPIs are clearly defined and enforceable.
Implementation and performance management
- Oversight and advisory support during installation and commissioning to ensure that the project delivers as designed.
- Ongoing performance review and optimisation to sustain or enhance savings over the contract term.
Talk to Lawler Sustainability About ECSS
SEAI’s Energy Contracting Support Scheme represents a significant opportunity for organisations that want to deliver ambitious energy and carbon reductions while managing risk and preserving capital. However, success depends on strong technical foundations, a robust commercial structure and a well-prepared application that speaks directly to the scheme’s requirements.
Lawler Sustainability partners with clients to shape, secure and deliver ECSS-backed energy contracting projects that stand up both technically and financially. To explore whether your organisation or portfolio could benefit from ECSS, contact Lawler Sustainability’s energy and sustainability team to arrange an initial discussion.