Purpose - The paper aims to reveal the most functioning project delivery systems for nearly zero-energy building (nZEB) projects. The focus is set to reveal the qualities of the systems that support the nZEB goals and sustainability. Design/methodology/approach - Research method used in this paper is inductive reasoning. The reasoning is based on existing literature, and conclusions are drawn by combining pieces of that literature. Findings - The state-of-the-art heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and insulation requirements of nZEB technology and the lack of experience in the industry regarding nZEB projects suggest that modern collaboration-based project delivery systems should be favoured. The authors found that the most suitable project delivery system for a standard nZEB project is the integrated project delivery (IPD), which binds the financial goals of the main parties together via a reimbursement solution: target pricing. The authors also found the construction management (CM) at-risk system a suitable solution, especially if it is modified by adding the tools utilised in the IPD approach, thereby making it an IPD lite system. Originality/value - The paper has value for the entire construction industry in Finland and European Union (EU). The owners and construction companies can use the findings in their development efforts towards nZEB construction. The EU 2020 nZEB degree makes all the findings concerning practicalities of nZEB projects valuable due to the lack of time and the lack of experience in the industry.