Please note that this page contains information and links most relevant for people living in Northern Ireland.
The Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) has been helping to improve the energy efficiency of homes and businesses in Northern Ireland since 2010. It provides grants to support businesses and low-income households with energy saving measures such as:
These measures can help you save money, waste less energy, and significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
Utility Regulator has announced that NISEP will be extended from April 2025 to March 2027.
A framework document covering the 2025/27 period will be published in September 2024.
Approximately £8 million is collected from around 902,680 domestic and business electricity customers in Northern Ireland through a Public Service Obligation (PSO).
The money is used to provide funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy schemes. The Utility Regulator has responsibility for the PSO. We act as the programme administrator for NISEP on behalf of the Utility Regulator.
Scheme managers can bid into NISEP to deliver energy efficiency schemes each year.
Most of the funding is kept for schemes that don’t require any payment by the homeowner. This includes:
The remaining funds are allocated to domestic, commercial and renewable schemes, which are available to homeowners, private tenants and commercial properties.
Some are fully funded by NISEP and others may require a financial contribution by the applicant.
There are pre-determined income criteria that decide if you need to contribute to the cost of any installation. The list of NISEP schemes outlines which scheme you’re eligible for and additional terms and conditions apply to each scheme.
NISEP has an innovative category to encourage scheme managers to include the installation of innovative and renewable technologies. This year there’s a limited number of air source heat pump installations available as part of a heating upgrade for households outside the gas network.
There are currently very few air source heat pumps installed in Northern Ireland, so this is a great opportunity for eligible applicants to benefit from low carbon technology. This is the first time that two scheme managers will offer this measure in the same year.
In addition to the installation, air source heat pumps fitted in 2024/25 will be monitored by technology that provides information on the heat pump’s performance, efficiencies and running costs.
NISEP has successfully delivered energy efficiency measures since 2010.
Each year, there has been at least 15,000 energy efficiency measures installed, benefiting over 3,500 properties.
In 2024/25 there are 22 schemes being delivered by 10 scheme managers.
Customer who received heating and insulation:
“Thanks to the installers for doing a great job. Our house is warmer, and we’re very pleased with our new heating system. The new loft insulation has made a big difference.”
Customer who received insulation:
“Very good job and already feeling the difference in heat.”
A business who received funding:
“The whole process was very straightforward from start to finish. The scheme has enabled us to make the jump to more efficient technology and allowed our business to become more sustainable.
We’re now starting to see the benefits of this technology and becoming more efficient and sustainable is now a key target for the business.”
Further information about NISEP is available on our NISEP programme page.
The Housing Executive has introduced an online tool that creates a tailored action plan for your home and highlights changes that could save money.
This is available to all households in Northern Ireland. Complete the information on the home energy saving tool to get recommendations to benefit you and the environment.
For more information on energy saving for your home please visit our dedicated Northern Ireland energy efficiency pages.
You can also contact the Northern Ireland Energy Advice service online, or call freephone 0800 111 4455.
Last updated: 30 April 2024
