Energy Services in the Dutch social housing sector. A benchmarking study on housing corporations’ in practice performance

The energy efficiency of most social housing dwellings does not meet current norms, which unnecessarily increases the total housing costs of the tenants. Housing corporations must invest in improving energy efficiency to improve performance, but come across several barriers that prevent them from covering their costs. An often mentioned solution is bringing energy services, which has to distinct approaches and business models, aimed at lowering energy demand and fulfilling the remaining energy demand. This research assesses twelve projects in the Dutch social housing sector, in which these energy services have been applied, on energy performance and project finances. Especially small-scale, decentralized energy delivery by housing corporations has the ability to improve energy performance, while using the earnings potential of energy delivery. Given these advantages, outdated rules and legislation should be changed to facilitate this development.