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 financial support through grants for energy (and later carbon dioxide) saving measures which could not be financed from within Departmental budgets. The fund was later extended to the wider public sector estate in Northern Ireland.
Applications are invited each autumn, for implementation the following financial year. Proposed projects must meet certain eligibility criteria, including minimum capital cost and reasonable payback. As the level of financial support available is limited, all other avenues of funding must have been explored before a Central Fund application can be accepted. Applications will be assessed by the Public Sector Energy Working Group (PSEWG). For a full list of eligibility criteria and the application/assessment guidance view the Terms & Conditions for 2009/10.
Funding is limited and acceptance by the Department of an Application does not guarantee an offer will be made. We anticipate that £2 million will be available for the 2009/10 year.
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 outlined below, however organisations interested in making an Application to the Fund should refer to the full Terms & Conditions for all eligibility criteria –
- The Applicant must be a public sector organisation in Northern Ireland;
- Projects should demonstrate a reduction in energy consumption and/or carbon dioxide emissions;
- Projects must have a minimum capital cost of £3,500, however smaller projects may be combined to reach this figure in limited circumstances as defined in the Terms & Conditions;
- Grants are payable for the 2009/10 financial year only. Exceptions may be considered for larger projects where payments may be divided over two years by the PSEWG. Grants not spent or claimed during the 2009/10 year will not be carried forward;
- Projects must be in a position to commence as soon as possible after 1 April 2009 and complete by March 2010 (except where 2 year projects are agreed by the PSEWG;
- All required planning permissions, licences and statutory consents must be in place by 31 January 2009;
- Any Grants offered apply only to the property and project defined in the Application. They may not be used for any other purpose and are not transferable; and
- Applicants should be able to demonstrate a commitment to energy efficiency within their estates. This will be assessed by the return of energy usage figures to the Public Sector Energy Campaign (PSEC).
Applications are invited each autumn, for implementation the following financial year.
Applications should be made electronically using the CEEF 2009 program in accordance with the Terms & Conditions. This program will automatically apply relevant parameters and eliminate unsuitable projects. The 2009/10 fund has now closed for applications.
View the publications page for copies of the 2009/10 Application pack and Terms & Conditions for 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
Projects should commence immediately upon acceptance of the Grant offer. Government procurement guidelines where applicable should be followed and effective project management should be used to deliver the project within the agreed timescale.
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 that local managers will wish, as a matter of good practice to evaluate all 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 for detailed monitoring over a period of at least 12 months will be required and a Post Project Evaulation (PPE) must be returned to the PSEWG. This will include all projects with a total capital cost of £50,000 or more and a representative sample of other projects funded. For further information on PPEs please refer to section 16 of the Terms & Conditions.
