{"id":11607,"date":"2015-11-12T13:27:47","date_gmt":"2015-11-12T19:27:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/?p=11607"},"modified":"2015-11-12T16:49:03","modified_gmt":"2015-11-12T22:49:03","slug":"new-investor-network-aims-to-close-the-gap-on-energy-efficiency-financing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2015\/11\/12\/new-investor-network-aims-to-close-the-gap-on-energy-efficiency-financing\/","title":{"rendered":"New Investor Network Aims to \u201cClose the Gap\u201d on Energy Efficiency Financing"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n\"1294_Skyscrapers<\/a>\u00a0By: Jeff Milum, Director of Market Development, Investor Confidence Project\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

40 percent<\/a> of all energy in the U.S. is used by buildings, which also accounts for one-third<\/a> of our country\u2019s greenhouse gases emissions. This represents a huge opportunity, both for climate action and financial gain.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s just one problem: Project developers often have trouble finding financing for projects, even though investors who are looking to finance building efficiency upgrades are in need of more quality projects. This conundrum is increasingly apparent as more mainstream investors are entering the energy efficiency sector searching for investments with consistent, long-term yields, as well as \u201cgreen\u201d attributes.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why Environmental Defense Fund\u2019s Investor Confidence Project<\/a> (ICP) is proud to announce the launch<\/a> of the ICP Investor Network<\/a>. By connecting investors who are seeking quality projects with trained and vetted project developers who are originating certified ICP-certified energy efficiency projects, ICP is working to help close this gap.<\/p>\n

EDF\u2019s Investor Confidence Project creates certified Investor Ready Energy Efficiency\u2122 projects that make investing in what are often complex efficiency project easy for building owners, and finance firms alike. Investor Ready Energy Efficiency\u2122 projects have been reviewed by an independent engineer to have followed ICP Protocols for quality project development and have provided consistent documentation for each step in the process. By certifying projects against an industry standard, ICP reduces transaction costs and increases confidence in savings in order to help engage private capital and scale up energy efficiency investments globally.<\/p>\n

Members of the new ICP Investor Network<\/a> see the value that ICP provides to their investments in energy efficiency projects and to the evolution of the industry as a whole. In joining the network, they are committing to recommending the use of the ICP Protocols and Credentialing System as best practices when developing energy efficiency projects. Additionally, the majority of Investor Network members are validating the value ICP provides by offering incentives such as accelerated underwriting, reduced transaction fees, and preferable terms for Investor Ready Energy Efficiency\u2122 projects.<\/p>\n

[Tweet “New network aims to \u2018close the gap\u2019 on #energyefficiency financing”]<\/p>\n

Members of the Investor Network make up around $1B in financing for energy efficiency projects collectively and are comprised of a wide range of financial services firms including lenders, equity providers, project insurance providers, and energy services. Charter members include:<\/p>\n