Last week, the head of the Technical Support Unit (TSU), Sören David, represented the Mitigation Action Facility at the International ESCO Symposium in İstanbul, Türkiye. The role of Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) in driving the transition to green energy systems is increasingly gaining recognition. The event brought together a diverse group of participants, including government representatives and leading figures from international organisations. It was hosted by the Global ESCO Network in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme Copenhagen Climate Centre, the Efficiency Valuation Organization, and the Energy Efficiency and Management Association.
On the first day of the event, 7 May, Sören shared insights from Facility-funded projects where the ESCO model has been used to successfully promote energy efficiency. Speaking as a panellist in the session “Spotlight on the ESCO from a Development Perspective”, he highlighted how ESCOs can serve as powerful tool for climate-conscious development. By presenting the Mitigation Action Facility’s experience from a development finance perspective, he offered valuable insights that that are relevant and replicable across diverse contexts.
Sören spotlighted two key examples of ESCO mobilisation from the Facility’s portfolio:
- Brazil Industrial Energy Efficiency: A mature project that has already achieved upscaling. It serves as a strong example of the ESCO model’s transformative potential when well-implemented.
- Mauritius Energy Efficiency. A more recent project, currently in the Detailed Preparation Phase (DPP), which aims to enhance the interconnectivity of sustainable energy practices on the island. At this critical stage, deep knowledge of ESCO operationalisation will be key to its success.
“Efforts to drive energy efficiency are key to achieve climate goals. Progress so far has been limited compared to the roll-out of renewable energy across the world and ESCOs are indispensable to bundle projects and bring them to scale – we will support them!”
Sören David
A key takeaway from the Symposium is the importance of knowledge sharing in unlocking the full potential of a pioneering method such as ESCOs. As the showcased projects demonstrate, when practitioners are equipped with the right skills, know-how, and guidance, ESCOs can help revitalise and transform stagnant energy systems.
With a wide array of stakeholder present, Sören’s contributions reached across the ESCO implementation landscape. The Mitigation Action Facilitiy’s presence at the Symposium not only helped disseminate important lessons learnt, but also reinforced our role as a key partner, funder, and innovator in advancing the ESCO model globally.
Looking ahead, the Facility’s ESCO projects are set to build on this momentum. With the upscaling of the Brazil project and the DPP in Mauritius actively progressing, we will continue to support impactful projects driving sustainable energy transformation.
Read more about our work in the energy sector here.