An international survey of the energy service company (ESCO) industry

Energy service companies (ESCOs) are expected to play an important role in promoting energy efficiency in countries outside of the US. However, there have been no studies examining the current level of ESCO activity internationally. To correct for this deficiency, a survey was conducted in the Fall of 2002 to collect information on the following key topics for selected countries: (1) the number of ESCOs; (2) the key sectors targeted by ESCOs; (3) the four most important barriers facing the ESCO industry; (4) the approximate value of projects conducted by ESCOs in 2001; and (5) the future of the ESCO industry in that particular country. Information was collected on ESCO activity in 38 countries outside of the United States. Based on the survey data, we calculate the total amount of ESCO activity outside the US in 2001 to be between $560 million and $620 million. This is approximately one-half to one-third of the ESCO revenues in the US for 2001. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.