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Investor Confidence Project (ICP)

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What is ICP?

The Investor Confidence Project (ICP) is a global underwriting standard for developing energy efficiency retrofits for commercial and multifamily buildings. Through Investor Ready Energy Efficiency (IREE) certification, ICP aims to standardize energy efficiency upgrades and transform the energy efficiency market by increasing confidence in the financial and environmental performance of building retrofits.

ICP combines the use of a standardized set of technical requirements (the ICP Protocols) and a network of qualified providers to bring rigorous, independent third-party verification to energy efficiency projects. This provides investors, building owners, and project developers a high degree of certainty in projected energy savings and financial returns.

Administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), ICP was established to address market barriers that inhibit large-scale investments in energy efficiency projects. Following the ICP framework helps organizations invest in projects that improve efficiency, provide a return on investment, and reduce operating costs. By only certifying projects that adhere to rigorous standards and best practices, ICP reduces risk for investors and lowers transaction costs for buyers and sellers of energy efficiency.

What is Investor Ready Energy Efficiency (IREE) certification?

Investor Ready Energy Efficiency™ (IREE) certification refers to energy efficiency retrofit projects that conform to the requirements of the ICP Protocols, have been reviewed by ICP Quality Assurance Assessors and have been awarded certification by GBCI.

To be IREE certified, project developers must select the appropriate protocol for their project and then follow all the procedural and documentation requirements associated with each stage of the ICP Protocols.

For detailed information on the certification process, download the free Guide to IREE Certification. 

How do I register for IREE Certification?

Complete the IREE registration form.

How do I become an ICP Project Developer?

Review the ICP Project Developer requirements below. If your firm meets the requirements, simply complete the application.  

ICP Project Developer Requirements:

  • Have at least one technical staff person who has completed and passed the ICP IREE Certification Training
  • Retain, either on staff or under contract, a licensed Professional Engineer or AEE Certified Energy Manager (CEM).
  • Show 5 years of relevant industry experience.
  • Provide a minimum of 3 references from past projects.
  • Carry insurance for error and omissions (or equivalent), with a minimum of $1MM coverage per claim.

How do I become a Quality Assurance Assessor?

Review the ICP Quality Assurance Assessor requirements below. If your firm meets the requirements, simply complete the application.

ICP QA Assessors must:

  • Employ a licensed Professional Engineer (PE).
  • Possess a minimum of five years of relevant energy efficiency project development experience, and three years of quality assurance or technical review experience.
  • Provide three references demonstrating relevant project development and/or quality assurance review experience.
  • Complete the ICP IREE Certification Training as well as the ICP Quality Assurance Assessor Training.
  • Sign a services agreement with GBCI to function as an ICP Quality Assurance Assessor.

What is the ICP Ally Network?

The ICP Ally Network is comprised of stakeholders from across the energy efficiency industry who recognize the need for standardization and support the Investor Confidence Project.   

Allies commit to supporting the ICP Protocols as a standard approach to engineering Investor Ready Energy Efficiency™ projects and providing feedback and input to help guide the future direction of ICP. All Allies are listed on the ICP website.

How does ICP benefit building owners, project developers, and investors?

Benefits to building owners include:

  • Enterprise-wide efficiency procurement
  • Increased confidence in project fundamentals and results
  • Independent review and certification builds credibility
  • Set underwriting criteria for building renovations allows for securitization

Benefits to Project developers include:

  • Allows companies to deliver consistent projects based on agreed upon underwriting criteria
  • Accelerates project approvals and reduces transaction costs
  • Differentiates company and increases credibility with customers
  • Connects developers with finance, insurance, utility programs

Benefits to investors, including governments and utility programs include:

  • IREE™ is based on internationally recognized and off-the-shelf technical standards that are ready to deploy
  • Ready-made provider recognition and training program
  • Allows for the ability to distribute Quality Assurance costs to the market

Where can I learn more about ICP?

Visit our website or contact us at icp@gbci.org.

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