Eurostat clarifies how to record energy performance contracts in national accounts

Background and further information:

The revised guidance note clarifies the accounting rules applied to the treatment of Energy Performance Contracts. It significantly increases the possibilities for public bodies to use such contracts, by including and clarifying the circumstance in which these contracts can be recorded off government balance sheets.

The update follows up the release in November 2016 of the 'Clean Energy for All Europeans' package on energy transition. Central elements of this package were ambitious proposals on energy efficiency, which reduces energy bills and the dependency on imports, while creating local jobs. However, it also requires significant upfront investment, particularly with regards to the refurbishment of buildings. Energy performance contracts (EPCs) can help the building sector increase the necessary investments in the context of increasing private investor interest and fast developing expertise.

The European Commission's Statistical Office, Eurostat, published on 19 September 2017 an updated guidance note on the recording of Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs) in government accounts.

European Commission: DG Communication: MEMO/17/3269, 19.09.17: Eurostat clarifies how to record energy performance contracts in national accounts – Questions and Answers http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-17-3269_en.htm

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