Dive Brief:
- ICF International has been selected to manage residential energy efficiency programs for Kansas City Power & Light, supporting the Great Plains Energy Services utility with a range of offerings, from program administration to performing energy audits in residential and multifamily buildings.
- ICF said it will use its Strategic Intelligence Management System to deliver improved results under the three-year, $11 million contract.
- KCP&L has recently filed a request with the Missouri Public Service Commission to increase base rates for electric service for some of its customers by 7.5%, primarily to fund infrastructure upgrades and add regional transmission lines.
Dive Insight:
KCP&L is investing $11 million in energy efficiency, bringig on ICF to support the utility's offerings on the residential side of its service.
ICF agreed to deliver KCP&L’s comprehensive portfolio of residential energy efficiency programs to help customers reduce their usage and bills. ICF's work will include providing overall program administration, retailer and trade ally recruitment, residential and multifamily building energy audits, data tracking, creative marketing services and incentive processing.
ICF will be working to support KCP&L’s multifamily, whole house and home lighting programs.
“ICF combines the best tools and strategies with the right people to create a positive customer experience for our clients and their customers while always remaining focused on helping them meet their energy efficiency program goals,” ICF Vice President Michaela Martin said in a statement. “We look forward to forging an enduring partnership with GPES and KCP&L to deliver low-cost energy savings to their customers and generate a high level of customer satisfaction.”
ICF said it will engage its proprietary Strategic Intelligence Management System to inform marketing investments and customer engagement strategy, and will offer customers its mobile Power Rebate App, easing the process of submitting heating and cooling rebate applications in the field.
ICF also said it will also work to create relationships with trade allies "to build a network designed to support KCP&L’s specific needs."
KCP&L recently filed a rate request in its Missouri territory, potentially raising customer monthly bills by $9. The utility told regulators the price increases are necessary for infrastructure upgrades, adding regional transmission lines, and complying with environmental and cybersecurity mandates.
Earlier this year, Great Plains announced plans to acquire Westar Energy, the largest electricity provider in Kansas, for $8.6 billion. The deal would give Great Plains more than 1.5 million customers in Kansas and Missouri and over 13 GW of total generation.
