摘要:Subject of study.One of the most popular investment mechanisms in the field of energy saving in Europe is the energy service contract. The importance and prospects of its application in Russia began to be perceived at the state level 9 years ago. Despite the active work of government agencies on the implementation of energy-saving measures, including the financial aspects accompanying them, the barriers to the implementation of the energy service contract are growing.Goals.It is required to identify the key barriers that hamper the development of the energy service contract and form possible recommendations that allow the situation in the energy services market to be determined in a conclusive manner.Materials and methods.The study uses official data from the reports of the Ministry of Energy, statistics of the Russian Association of Energy Service Companies (RAESCO), the latest amendments and additions to Federal Law No. 261 “On Energy Saving … “. For the analysis, scientific methods such as logical and graphical methods, analysis and synthesis, a systematic approach, a logical method of knowledge of the subject domain are used.Results.Introduced at the federal level legislative changes in the field of energy inspection, completely abolishing the concept of “compulsory energy inspection” will negatively affect the market of energy services. In conditions that involve the survival of the strongest energy service companies, a new approach is proposed for the implementation of energy service contracts outsourcing an energy service company.Conclusions.In the conditions of annual reduction of budgetary funds for energy-saving measures, the energy service contract is a indispensable and non-alternative investment mechanism that allows implementing state tasks in the field of energy saving and energy efficiency. It is necessary to provide state support and review of existing approaches to the application of the energy service contract.