Energy Academy
Energy Performance Contracts (EPC) & ESCOs6 / 12

EPC Risks & Mitigants

Shortfall risk (savings < forecast); guaranteed savings clauses; M&V disputes.

10 min read · Jacob Willis, Net Zero Lead · Last reviewed July 2026


Energy performance contracts transfer much risk to the ESCO, but they are not risk-free for the client. Long-term contracts based on measured savings create their own complexities, and understanding the risks - and how to manage them - is essential to a successful EPC.

In this lesson

  • 01The savings shortfall question
  • 02The M&V dispute risk
  • 03Baseline and adjustment risk
  • 04Long-term commitment risk
  • 05Measurement boundary and interaction risk
  • 06Quality and persistence risk
  • 07Aligning interests
  • 08The key to success
  • 09Sources and further reading