Funding boost for renewable energy from NIE

6 Apr 2009

Homes across Northern Ireland will soon have access to additional support for renewable energy thanks to new ‘top up’ grants which are being introduced by Northern Ireland Electricity.

Part of NIE’s SMART programme, the grants offer additional help to householders who have successfully applied for a grant from the UK Government’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme Stream 1 (www.lowcarbonbuildings.co.uk). Additional support is available from NIE for solar water heating, wind and solar photovoltaics.

Gwyneth Compston from NIE Energy says, “This is a great opportunity for householders in Northern Ireland to take advantage of additional funding for renewable energy while also doing their bit for the environment. This support has come at a particularly pertinent time for householders in Northern Ireland and we hope it will make renewable energy more accessible as an alternative energy resource. This is the latest in a series of grants from the NIE SMART programme which are aimed at stimulating the local uptake of renewable energy.”

Solar water heating installations will be eligible for an additional £400, solar photovoltaics will receive an additional 15% or £900 per kWp up to a maximum of £4,500 (whichever is lesser) and wind installations will be eligible for an additional £500 per kWp up to a maximum of £3,000 or 30% of the relevant eligible costs (whichever is lesser).

The top up grants will be issued on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and to be eligible to apply, householders will need to have made a successful application to the LCBP Stream 1. Accredited installers and products must be used and all relevant approvals must be in place eg building control or planning permission.

To find out how you can take advantage of these new grants go to www.nie-yourenergy.co.uk for more information.

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