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Interested parties can view the tender on www.etenders.gov.ie (RFT ID: 1838071)

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLR CoCo) is taking proactive steps to address energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions in its facilities. The council has expressed its interest in exploring energy conservation measures through an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) at three prominent locations within the county. This initiative aims to not only decrease energy and fossil fuel consumption but also pave the way for achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.

The three facilities that have been identified for energy upgrades are County Hall, located on Marine Road in Dún Laoghaire, the dlr LexIcon situated on Haigh Terrace in Moran Park, and the Pavilion Theatre within the Pavilion Complex on Marine Road. The council is seeking expressions of interest from Energy Service Companies (ESCos) to provide energy services through an EPC for these buildings. The successful candidate will be expected to deliver guaranteed savings and a return on investment as per the contractual agreement.

Various energy upgrades will be considered for implementation, with the ultimate goal of reducing energy consumption and promoting renewable sources. Among the potential measures are:

• Replacement of existing heating systems with renewable alternatives like heat pumps or biomass boilers
• Incorporation of renewable energy systems
• Improvements to building fabric, re-commissioning and enhancement of the Building Management Systems (BMS) 
• Modernisation of plant and HVAC equipment.
• Additionally, the project will explore opportunities for demand response to optimise energy usage.

The estimated capital investment required for implementing these energy conservation measures across the three buildings is approximately €3,100,000. The financing for the project is expected to be sourced from a combination of ESCo funding, DLR CoCo's own resources, and potential grant funding. It is envisaged that the contract(s) awarded for this project will have a maximum duration of eight years, subject to an annual review to ensure satisfactory progress and outcomes.

DLR CoCo's commitment to reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions aligns with wider efforts to combat climate change and create a more sustainable future. By exploring energy conservation measures and engaging with ESCos through an EPC, the council aims to make significant strides towards achieving its net-zero emissions target by 2030. This initiative not only demonstrates DLR CoCo's dedication to environmental stewardship but also serves as an example for other organisations and communities to prioritise energy efficiency and sustainability in their operations.

Interested Energy Service Companies are encouraged to submit their expressions of interest to DLR CoCo before the deadline of 20th June 2023. The council looks forward to partnering with an ESCo that shares its vision and commitment to achieving tangible energy savings, reducing carbon emissions, and ultimately building a greener future for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County.

This project is being carried out through the EU Horizon 2020 funded DeliveREE project, which Codema is leading.  DeliveREE aims to create a structured approach to accelerate the formation of large-scale projects by standardising the project development process, allowing projects of various types and sizes to be aggregated to create scale. This enables the use of energy performance and energy supply contracts whose performance guarantees are both critical for achieving value for money, providing a mechanism for the involvement of private capital and limiting the exposure of the local authority to cost overruns.

Codema is also working with the local authorities and SEAI to secure Pathfinder funding for the  projects involved in the DeliveREE pipeline. The overall intention behind the SEAI-developed Pathfinder Scheme is to provide capital support to public bodies to create a step-change in energy efficiency and decarbonisation by supporting public sector projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and not just energy demand reduction measures.