Demand for Display Energy Certificates Surges as Local Authorities Strengthen Energy Governance
As local authorities place increasing emphasis on operational energy performance and transparency across public sector buildings, demand for Display Energy Certificates is rising across the UK.
What is a Display Energy Certificate?
Display Energy Certificates (DECs) provide a clear measure of a building’s actual energy use, based on operational consumption. DECs are legally required in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for buildings that:
- Are used by a public authority
- Are frequently visited by the public
- Are larger than 250 square metres
Accompanied by Recommendation Reports, DECs offer practical guidance to help organisations reduce energy use, lower running costs, and improve overall efficiency.
DECs EXPLAINEDWhy Demand for DECs is Increasing
The rise in demand is being driven by a combination of regulatory change and a renewed focus on climate governance. Councils are strengthening their commitments to reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency, supported by more structured planning frameworks and mandatory reporting requirements.
As a result, local authorities are taking a more active and strategic role in managing building performance and evidencing progress against net-zero targets.
Recent updates to the DEC framework have also played a key role. Regulatory changes introduced in 2025 expanded the range of buildings required to display a DEC, bringing a greater number of smaller public buildings into scope.
Additionally, many certificates issued around 2015 are now reaching the end of their validity period, creating a significant wave of DEC renewals across 2025 and 2026.
What this Means for Non-Domestic Energy Assessors
For non-domestic energy assessors, this shift represents a substantial market opportunity. As public buildings must display certificates prominently and renew them at legally defined intervals, demand for qualified professionals is expected to remain high.
With a major renewal cycle underway and councils accelerating their climate action programmes, the need for accurate, high-quality DECs is growing rapidly. Assessors have a crucial role to play in supporting the public sector to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy management, and enhance transparency across their estates.
The Wider Industry Impact
Local authorities are increasingly relying on robust energy data to support decision-making, demonstrate compliance, and track progress against climate commitments. In this context, DECs remain one of the most effective tools for understanding how buildings contribute to net zero targets.
John Robinson, Elmhurst’s Non-Domestic Scheme Manager, comments on this increase in demand:
We’re seeing a clear shift in how local authorities are managing their building portfolios. Operational performance is now a priority, not just design intent. Display Energy Certificates provide one of the most transparent and practical ways to understand how public buildings are actually performing.
With the expansion of the DEC requirements and a significant number of certificates now reaching renewal, demand for qualified assessors is increasing rapidly. This presents a strong opportunity for non-domestic energy assessors to support the public sector, while also helping organisations reduce energy consumption, lower costs, and make measurable progress toward net zero commitments.
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