Central Energy Efficiency Fund
- What is the Central Energy Efficiency Fund?
- How does it operate?
- Am I eligible?
- How do I apply?
- What types of projects are funded?
- If I get funding – what next?
The Central Energy Efficiency Fund was established in 1993 to provide support for energy (and later carbon dioxide) saving measures which could not be financed from within Departmental budgets.
Bids are invited each autumn, for implementation the following financial year. Proposed projects must meet certain eligibility criteria, including minimum capital cost and reasonable payback. All other avenues of funding must have been explored before a Central Fund bid can be accepted.
The Fund is open to all Northern Ireland Departments and their offshoots such as Health Trusts, Education and Library Boards, District Councils and NDPBs.
The principal criteria to be satisfied are as follows –
- projects will be considered for their potential in reducing energy consumption and / or carbon dioxide emissions from buildings occupied by NI public bodies.
- projects with a capital cost of less than £3500 are not eligible (a number of smaller projects may be aggregated to reach this figure. Details are contained in the Guidance notes).
- projects will be evaluated on the basis of potential savings over the entire project life. However, a maximum payback period reasonable for the project in question may be applied.
- projects which can be categorised as other than energy or carbon dioxide saving measures are not eligible.
Bids are invited each autumn, for implementation the following financial year.
The current version of the bids program must be used for preparing submissions. This program will automatically apply relevant parameters and eliminate unsuitable projects. Closing date for completed returns will be posted on this website.
Access the publications page for further information.
Projects are funded under the following categories:
- 001-BEMS/EMS/Boiler or Heating Controls/TRVs
- 002-Refrigeration or Air Conditioning Controls
- 003-Lighting Controls or Conversion to Low Energy Lighting
- 004-Change of Fuel (Electricity>Oil>LPG>Nat Gas)
- 005-Installation of CHP
- 006-Point of Use Domestic Hot Water Heaters
- 007-Boiler Plant Upgrading or Decentralisation
- 008-Heat Recovery Including Destratification Fans
- 009-Radiator Reflective Panels
- 010-Roof Insulation
- 011-Cavity Wall Insulation
- 012-Pipe Insulation or Valve Covers
- 013-Draughtproofing
- 014-Double Glazing/Secondary Glazing
- 015-Swimming Pool Covers
- 016-Renewable Energy - Wind
- 017-Renewable Energy - Hydro
- 018-Renewable Energy - Biomass
- 019-Renewable Energy - Solar Heat
- 020-Renewable Energy - Photovoltaic
- 021-Renewable Energy - Ground Source Heat Pump
It is important to be able to demonstrate that Central Fund projects:
- offer value for money; and
- are cost effective in reducing energy consumption and/or the emission of carbon dioxide.
It is expected therefore that successful applicants will wish, as a matter of good practice, to evaluate projects for which funding is provided and submission of bids will be taken as signifying agreement that such evaluations will be completed.
In addition, a number of projects will be identified and will be required to undertake detailed monitoring over a period of 12 months. Written reports will be requested for this period of monitoring; to ensure consistency of response questionnaires will be issued.
Access the publications page for further information
