CEPS offers energy performance contracting (EPC) to customers as a way to finance and implement capital energy improvements and services. In the EPC model, energy and cost savings produced by the project cover all project costs, including financing and performance period expenses (such as operations and maintenance and measurement and verification), over the contract term. Contract terms can be up to 20 years with during guaranteed performance. CEPS has a long history of successful performance contracting projects.

As the first step of the EPC process, CEPS will conduct an energy audit of selected facilities to determine the potential for operational savings through energy efficiency improvements. Based on the audit results, CEPS will recommend energy conservation measures (ECMs) that, when implemented, will generate enough energy and cost savings to pay for the entire cost of the project over the term of the contract. In addition to analyzing building energy consumption and designing comprehensive projects, CEPS may provide on-going equipment maintenance, monitor project performance, and measure and verify the savings. CEPS may provide the customer a savings guarantee, which reduces the potential risk to the customer. If the guaranteed savings do not materialize, CEPS is contractually liable to pay for any shortfall. This "reconciliation" is done annually. The type and level of services are negotiated and based upon the final scope of work.

CEPS may perform the following services as part of the ECP process:

• Preliminary energy audits
• Investment-grade energy audits
• Project design and engineering services
• Project financing
• Equipment bidding and acquisition
• Construction management and equipment installation
• Project commissioning services
• Savings measurement and verification and project monitoring
• On-going equipment maintenance services
• Guaranteed performance for the entire contract term
• Extensive training for facility personnel
• Technical assistance for rate negotiations
• Building owner education on facility load profile
  • Access to available incentive programs
• Customer benefits of EPCs:
  • Preserve limited budget dollars
  • Pay for needed capital energy improvements from savings
  • Reduce repair and maintenance costs caused by inadequate, aging, or obsolete equipment
  • Provide better overall building management and control
  • Provide needed technical training and knowledge for building operating personnel
  • Decrease indoor air quality (IAQ) problems
  • Increase employee productivity resulting from working in a more comfortable environment
  • Improve the environment and conserve energy resources