Energy Performance Contracting (EPC – formerly Re:fit) case studies.
In the face of the climate emergency and tightening fiscal constraints, public bodies must find smarter, faster routes to decarbonisation and energy resilience. The EPC (formerly Re:fit) framework provides exactly that: a proven delivery mechanism for energy efficiency, low-carbon retrofit and renewable generation projects in the public sector. Below we bring together a curated set of case studies that illustrate how councils, universities, NHS trusts and other public institutions are using EPC / Re:fit to drive real savings, reduce carbon emissions and modernise infrastructure.
Each case study captures a journey — the baseline challenges, the technical interventions, the financing approach, and the measurable outcomes. Taken together, they tell a story of how the EPC / Re:fit route is enabling scalable, credible progress toward net zero across diverse geographies and building portfolios.
Aneurin Bevan UHB partnered with Vital Energi to deliver an £8 million energy efficiency programme across six hospital sites, driving cost and carbon reductions toward its 2030 net zero goal.
Hywel Dda UHB is working with Vital Energi to implement a £6.8 million carbon reduction initiative across six hospitals, aiming to cut emissions by 34% by 2030.
Beckfoot Trust adopted the Re:fit framework to deliver energy efficiency upgrades (e.g. LED lighting, BMS optimisation, solar PV) that both reduce costs and engage students in sustainability practices.
Carmarthenshire Council embarked on a Re:fit-supported programme that will reduce emissions by 675 tonnes and save £315,000 annually to support its net zero 2030 target.
Epsom & St Helier NHS Trust’s Re:fit-enabled energy upgrades lead to savings of 4,939 tonnes CO₂ and £1.25 million per year.
Anglesey County Council’s Re:fit scheme is targeting annual CO₂ reductions of over 1,672 tonnes through energy efficiency measures.
Manchester City Council’s Re:fit initiative aims to cut 1,416 tonnes of CO₂ annually via energy savings and renewable generation toward its 2038 net zero target.
Swansea Bay UHB’s Re:fit project includes Wales’ first hospital solar farm, cutting 3,471 tonnes CO₂ per year and generating substantial cost and energy savings.
Westminster City Council is deploying rooftop solar PV, air source heat pumps, and energy conservation upgrades across 61 buildings under Re:fit to reduce emissions and meet its 2030 carbon neutrality goal.
Barnsley Council used a phased Re:fit approach to future-proof city infrastructure, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2040 with multi-site energy upgrades.
Aberystwyth University applied the Re:fit framework to install a solar farm that reduces carbon emissions by 500 tonnes annually, advancing its zero-carbon goals.
Cambridgeshire County Council, Park and Ride
Sir Harry Smith Community College
Huntingdonshire District Council, One Leisure Centres
Historic buildings City of Cardiff Council
Discover guides, toolkits and case studies that build on this topic
The Climate Adaptation and Resilience Matrix is a practical tool designed to help local authorities understand, assess and respond to the potential impacts of climate change and extreme weather on waste services and supporting infrastructure.
The matrix considers a range of climate-related hazards, including heatwaves, flooding and extreme cold, and their potential implications for collection services, household waste and recycling centres, transfer stations, operational depots and key supply chain facilities. It provides a high-level checklist of both short- and longer-term adaptation and mitigation measures that authorities can consider to strengthen the resilience and continuity of their services.
Drawing on research, case studies and stakeholder engagement, the matrix brings together practical actions and considerations in one place. It is not intended to prescribe a single approach; rather, it provides a flexible framework that local authorities can adapt to reflect their own climate risks, infrastructure, service models, geography and local circumstances.
The toolkit also highlights opportunities to embed climate resilience into existing organisational processes and decision-making, rather than treating adaptation as a standalone activity. This includes considering resilience measures through procurement and contract management, budget and capital planning, policy and strategy reviews, asset management, service transformation programmes and wider operational planning.
By using the matrix as a prompt for discussion, review and forward planning, local authorities can identify vulnerabilities, prioritise appropriate interventions and progressively build greater resilience into waste services, infrastructure and supply chains.
With NESO inviting participation in RESP Strategic Boards and Working Groups, this guide helps local and combined authorities consider what they need to put in place to take an effective role in regional energy planning.
Drawing on interviews with local authorities, it sets out practical approaches to:
An accompanying executive summary provides a concise overview for senior leaders and elected members, explaining why RESP matters, the risks of limited engagement and the organisational arrangements needed to respond effectively.
The guide was funded by West Midlands Combined Authority and draws on learning from the Planning Regional Infrastructure in a Digital Environment (PRIDE) project.
The Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tool has been developed by Local Partnerships in collaboration with the Local Government Association (LGA) to provide councils with a straightforward and consistent approach for calculating their carbon baseline and annual emissions reporting.
For assistance and feedback, please email ghgaccounting@localpartnerships.gov.uk
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