About the project
The EasyPro project is an EU-funded initiative under the LIFE Programme aimed at achieving carbon neutrality in Irish public buildings through simplified Energy Performance Contracting (EPC). Running from July 2024 to August 2027, it develops a tailored EPC facilitation service and procurement framework to cut costs and barriers for energy-efficient renovations.
Public bodies need to become carbon neutral. Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) can make this happen, whereby an energy service company (ESCO) partners with a client organisation to install energy-saving measures in their buildings and guarantees a certain level of energy savings, while getting paid based on the amount of energy saved over time. However, EPCs are complicated and expensive to procure.
The EasyPro project responds to these challenges by developing a tailored EPC Facilitation Service and procurement framework to reduce the costs and complexities of energy efficient building renovations. The overarching aim is to get public bodies to undertake energy efficient building renovations using the energy performance contracting scheme and align with EU strategies to combat global warming.
The project will run from July 2024 to August 2027 and combines the expertise of four Irish partner organisations: University College Cork’s International Energy Research Centre, Codema – Dublin’s Energy Agency, Lawler Sustainability and Carr Communications.
Lawler Sustainability’s Key Role
Since 2015, Lawler Sustainability has set the bar as Ireland’s foremost Sustainability Expert. Our mission is to close the loop between Sustainability Consulting, Engineering, Contracting, and Accreditation.
Our award-winning team can determine energy efficiency levels and detect inefficiencies, resulting in enhanced competitiveness and decreased energy costs. We offer turnkey energy efficiency building optimisation performance-based projects to ensure harnessed savings are retained through our energy-focused maintenance service.
We maximise funding mechanisms such as grants, tax breaks, energy credits, and technology providers and offer full or shared finance options.
Lawler Sustainability serves as the Leader of WP2 – Design of the EasyPro Solution.
We are responsible for creating contractor guidelines, carrying out building energy assessments, examining the most effective way of aggregating or bundling potential projects, and adapting existing risk assessment protocols for the needs of the Irish projects.
Project Scope and Pilot
EasyPro pilots at four universities: University College Cork, Technological University Dublin, Maynooth University, and Dublin City University. The €1.1M project will unlock up to €45.3 million in investments for energy efficiency and renewables by project’s end. Partners include IERC (UCC), Codema, and Carr Communications.
Broader Impact
It aligns with Ireland’s Climate Action Plan for 50% public sector efficiency gains by 2030 and EU clean energy goals. The standardised EPC tools, including templates, financial models, and investor matchmaking, aim for rollout across Irish public sectors and other EU states.
