Accreditation Categories
NAESCO offers three categories of Accreditation for companies in the energy service business: Energy Service Company (ESCO), Energy Service Provider (ESP) and Energy Efficiency Contractor (EEC).
Energy Service Provider (ESP) vs. Energy Service Company (ESCO)
Companies accredited as an ESP or ESCO offer performance-based contracts (i.e., contracts that tie the compensation of the provider to the energy savings generated by the project) as a significant part of their business. They also provide the full range of services required for a comprehensive infrastructure modernization project, including energy audits, design engineering, project financing, construction management, commissioning, operations and maintenance, and savings verification. The difference between the two categories is that ESPs offer energy supply options. These options could include the development and implementation of build/own/operate distributed generation, cogeneration or combined heat and power (CHP) projects and arrangement of firm contracting of energy supply.
Energy Efficiency Contractor (EEC)
EECs offer some, but not all, of the services of an ESCO (see above). EECs typically concentrate on one energy efficiency measure (e.g., lighting) or one type of service (e.g., engineering or project management), but can offer multiple measures or services. EECs typically work as subcontractors to ESCOs or ESPs.
