Contracting - Making commercial real estate more efficient

he energy crisis and energy transition pose enormous challenges for businesses in the retail sector. Particularly in rented commercial properties, retailers are unable to implement necessary efficiency measures. This is where energy service contracting might provide a remedy: adelphi research and the Retail Climate Protection Offensive (Klimaschutzoffensive des Handelsverbands Deutschland (KSO)) have developed a practical guide.

Saving energy, increasing efficiency, manageable investments: Contracting offers many benefits. But what exactly is contracting?

Contracting is an energy service that covers the various ways of supplying buildings and housing estates with energy. Energy is the broad sense includes heat, electricity, cooling and light. The most common application, however, is the supply of heat. In contracting, clients (e.g. building owners) and contractors (e.g. energy service providers, public utilities, energy utilities) sign a contract that is based on an individually developed plan. All types of contracting are characterised by an increase in energy efficiency over the term of the contract.

Finding the right contracting model

The contracting guide also provides support here – using a checklist, readers can find the best model for them in three simple steps. The information on possible financing is just as helpful: Contractors and clients can apply for financial support to implement the planned measures, including loans from KfW or grants from the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA).

Energy contracting is a tool that enables energy saving measures to be implemented flexibly and efficiently, in a way that benefits everyone. Retailers and landlords of commercial real estate can  prepare for increasing energy standards for buildings and equipment as well as rising CO2 prices. The new contracting guide is there to help them get started.

Print copies can be ordered free of charge via e-mail: klimaschutzhde [dot] de (klimaschutz[at]hde[dot]de).

Contact: Sophia Stock, Manager at adelphi research gGmbH, & Milan Matußek, Analyst at adelphi research gGmbH

The guide is based on a webinar on retail contracting, which was conducted as part of the Klimaschutzoffensive des Einzelhandels (KSO) in collaboration with the Verband für Energiedienstleistungen Effizienz und Contracting e. V. (vedec).