Skip to main content

How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors

How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors


Reading Time: 12 minutes
Key Takeaway: Presenting an EPC proposal well requires clarity, confidence, and data-backed explanations that your Board can easily understand and approve.

Introduction 

Many energy or facility managers struggle when it’s time to stand in front of the Board. You know the EPC project makes sense. You know it saves money. But the Board wants proof — and they want it fast. The pressure to “get it right” can feel overwhelming.

The good news? You don’t need to be a financial expert to win their approval.
“How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors" shows you exactly how to break down your proposal into simple, board-friendly pieces. You’ll learn how to turn complex engineering data into clear insights, highlight financial impact, and frame the project as a low-risk, strategic decision.

With the right structure, your Board sees what you see: a smart investment, not a technical burden.

How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors

Presenting an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) to your Board of Directors can feel intimidating, especially if you don’t usually deal with financial modelling or engineering language. But the process becomes easier when you understand how boards think and what information they need to make a confident decision.

“How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors" helps you organise your information, shape your message, and communicate the project in a way that focuses on value, risk, and long-term business goals. Instead of overwhelming the Board with technical language, you learn how to highlight what matters most: cost savings, performance guarantees, and the strategic benefits the company gains.

Let’s walk through how to structure your presentation step-by-step.

1. Understand What the Board Actually Cares About

Boards do not want engineering talk. They want clear outcomes.
“How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors" teaches you to focus on the following:

What boards prioritise:

  • Financial impact

  • Risk level

  • Payback period

  • Cashflow implications

  • Operational improvements

  • Compliance and sustainability

  • Reputation benefits

  • Long-term strategic value

Boards think at a big-picture level. They don’t need to know the technical details behind how a chiller works or how LED retrofits save energy. They only want to know how these upgrades will affect the organisation.

To connect with the Board:

  • Speak in business language, not engineering language.

  • Keep explanations simple and direct.

  • Avoid jargon.

  • Show financial numbers early.

  • Highlight risk reduction.

  • Keep technical information only when it adds clarity.

The moment the Board understands the financial and strategic benefits, approval becomes easier.

2. Start Your Presentation With a Strong Executive Summary

A good EPC proposal presentation always starts with a short, direct summary.
“How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors" puts emphasis on this step because Boards prefer fast clarity before details.

Your executive summary should include:

  • What the problem is

  • The proposed EPC solution

  • Costs involved

  • Savings generated

  • Payback period

  • Performance guarantee

  • Project duration

  • Risk-mitigation elements

Keep it to one slide.
Boards rarely approve anything if they cannot understand the summary clearly.

3. Present the Problem First, Not the Solution

Every great business case begins by showing the Board why action is needed.

In “How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors", you explain:

  • What energy or operational issues the organisation faces

  • How much money is currently being wasted

  • How old or inefficient the equipment is

  • Any rising utility costs

  • Any maintenance problems

  • Any compliance requirements

Boards approve projects when the need is clear.

Examples of problems to highlight:

  • Energy bills increasing every year

  • Old chillers causing downtime

  • Lighting systems consuming too much electricity

  • HVAC performance issues leading to discomfort

  • High carbon footprint affecting sustainability goals

  • Safety risks due to outdated equipment

Make the Board see the urgency.

4. Explain the EPC Model in Simple Terms

Many Board members may not understand what an EPC is.
“How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors" recommends using an eighth-grade explanation:

Explain EPC like this:

  • EPC = a contract where the project is funded by future energy savings.

  • No large upfront payment is required.

  • The ESCO guarantees the energy savings.

  • If savings do not happen, the ESCO compensates.

  • The organisation benefits from upgraded equipment with lower financial risk.

Use simple visuals or analogies:

  • “It’s like upgrading our home air conditioner using the future savings from our lower electricity bill.”

  • “We use today’s savings to pay for tomorrow’s improvements.”

When the Board understands this clearly, their resistance drops.

5. Present the Technical Scope Without Overwhelming Details

“How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors" advises you to simplify the technical scope using bullet points.

Focus on major upgrades only:

  • Chiller system improvements

  • LED lighting upgrades

  • Building automation or controls

  • Air handling unit optimisation

  • Solar installation (if included)

  • Pump and motor upgrades

  • Insulation or sealing improvements

Avoid:

  • Deep engineering drawings

  • Complex formulas

  • Detailed mechanical diagrams

If needed, put technical details in the appendix.

6. Highlight the Financial Model Clearly

Boards always want financial clarity.
“How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors" shows how to explain:

Key financial components:

  • Total project cost

  • Annual savings

  • Payback period

  • IRR (if required)

  • Project financing method

  • Cashflow over contract period

  • ESCO’s performance guarantee

  • Operation and maintenance impact

Show the Board these visuals:

  1. Simple bar chart showing before vs. after energy costs

  2. Cashflow chart showing savings vs. payments

  3. Total savings over contract period

Boards love simple visuals more than text.

7. Emphasise the Performance Guarantee

The Board will be more confident when they understand the guarantee.
“How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors" reminds you to stress:

Performance guarantee benefits:

  • Savings are guaranteed

  • Underperformance = ESCO pays the difference

  • Risk is transferred away from the organisation

  • Ensures high-quality installation

  • Protects long-term financial returns

This removes fear because the Board is not taking the performance risk.

8. Address All Risks Openly and Confidently

Every Board wants to know the risks.
“How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors" recommends preparing a “Risk and Mitigation” slide.

List risks like:

  • Implementation delays

  • Equipment performance issues

  • Utility price changes

  • Maintenance challenges

Then show mitigation:

  • ESCO guarantees

  • Clear M&V plan

  • Strong maintenance schedule

  • Project insurance

  • KPI tracking

Boards trust a presenter who openly addresses risks.

9. Show the Long-Term Value Beyond Cost Savings

EPCs offer more than savings.
“How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors" encourages highlighting strategic benefits:

Long-term value includes:

  • Better comfort for employees

  • Increased productivity

  • Lower downtime

  • Compliance with energy regulations

  • Lower carbon footprint

  • Stronger company reputation

  • Protection against rising energy prices

  • Higher asset value

Boards like investments that improve long-term stability.

10. Keep the Presentation Short and Simple

Boards do not want long presentations.
“How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors" recommends:

  • 10–12 slides maximum

  • Use simple visuals

  • Avoid paragraphs

  • Use bullet points

  • Speak slowly and clearly

  • Leave space for questions

Time is valuable for Board members.
Respect that, and your approval chances rise.

11. Prepare Answers for Common Board Questions

Boards usually ask predictable questions.
“How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors" lists typical ones:

Common questions:

  • “What happens if the savings don’t happen?”

  • “Is this the lowest-risk option?”

  • “How do we know the equipment will last?”

  • “Can we compare this with another proposal?”

  • “What are the long-term commitments?”

  • “How does this affect our operations?”

  • “Who maintains the equipment?”

Prepare short, confident answers in advance.

12. Use Real Numbers, Not Vague Claims

Boards do not like vague statements.
“How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors" suggests using:

Specific numbers:

  • Annual savings: RM ___

  • Project cost: RM ___

  • Payback: ___ years

  • CO₂ reduction: ___ tonnes

  • Downtime reduction: ___ %

The more specific you are, the more credible you sound.

13. End With a Strong Recommendation

Boards need clear direction.
“How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors" says to conclude with:

A final recommendation slide:

  • The EPC project is financially viable

  • Risks are low

  • Savings are guaranteed

  • The ESCO has a strong track record

  • The project aligns with the organisation’s goals

  • It is the right time to proceed

Give them confidence in the decision.

14. Provide a Clear Decision Path

Boards appreciate clarity on next steps.

Give them a decision timeline:

  • Approval in Month X

  • Contract finalisation in Month X+1

  • Design stage in Month X+2

  • Installation starts Month X+3

  • Savings begin on Month X+4

This shows you have a clear, structured plan.

Final Summary & Call to Action

“How to Present an EPC Proposal to Your Board of Directors" guides you through the full process of preparing a clear, simple, and convincing EPC presentation. You’ve learned how to highlight financial value, explain technical ideas simply, address risks, and give the Board confidence to approve. A well-structured presentation helps your Board see that EPC is not just an engineering project — it is a smart financial decision that delivers long-term value.

If you want help preparing your EPC proposal, designing your slides, or reviewing your numbers before presenting to the Board, reach out anytime.

WhatsApp or call 0133006284 for expert guidance and a stress-free approval process. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Ultimate Guide to the EECA 2024: What Every Malaysian Business Needs to Know.

      https://www.techikara.com/ The Ultimate Guide to the EECA 2024: What Every Malaysian Business Needs to Know Estimated reading time: 10 minutes   K ey takeaways:   ●       New Regulations for Major Energy Users: The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (EECA) 2024 now requires businesses in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan that use 21,600 gigajoules (GJ) or more of energy annually to comply with new regulations. This includes appointing a Registered Energy Manager (REM), implementing a formal Energy Management System (EnMS), and conducting regular energy audits. ●       Mandatory Requirements for Office Buildings: Initially, the Act targets office buildings with a Gross Floor Area (GFA) of 8,000 square meters and above. Owners or managers of these buildings must apply for and display an official energy intensity label, which rates the building's ef...
Post a Comment
Read more

Energy Efficiency Improvement Plan

What is an Energy Efficiency Improvement Plan? An Energy Efficiency Improvement Plan is a strategic framework designed to reduce energy consumption, lower costs, and enhance sustainability. It involves assessing current energy usage, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing targeted improvements. Key Steps in Developing an Energy Efficiency Improvement Plan: Conduct an Energy Audit:  Assess current energy consumption patterns to identify areas of inefficiency. Set Energy Efficiency Goals:  Establish clear, measurable objectives for reducing energy use and improving sustainability. Identify and Implement Solutions:  Develop and execute strategies such as upgrading to energy-efficient equipment, optimizing HVAC systems, and automating energy management. Monitor and Evaluate Performance:  Track energy usage over time, analyze results, and make necessary adjustments for continuous improvement. Employee Engagement and Training:  Educate staff on energy-saving pra...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Develop an Effective Energy Management Strategy for Your Company

  https://www.techikara.com/ How to Develop an Effective Energy Management Strategy for Your Company Reading Time: Approximately 7-8 minutes Key Takeaway: As a corporate leader or facility manager in Malaysia, you're facing increasing energy costs and, critically, new compliance requirements under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (EECA) 2024. Simply reacting to high bills or fixing one-off problems isn't enough anymore. What you need is a structured, long-term plan to control your energy use – in other words, an effective energy management strategy. But where do you start? How do you move beyond quick fixes to truly embed energy efficiency into your company's DNA? This article will guide you on How to Develop an Effective Energy Management Strategy for Your Company, showing you how a systematic approach not only reduces costs and strengthens sustainability efforts but also ensures you meet your legal obligations and stay competitive in Malaysia's evolvin...
Post a Comment
Read more