PAC Group has announced a strategic partnership with Inspired Business Consultancy, to offer business customers based in Northern Ireland free assistance to secure support from the Energy Efficiency Capital Grant.
Recently launched by Invest Northern Ireland, the Energy Efficiency Capital Grant (EECG) can provide up to £150,000 toward the costs of the design, purchase, and installation of equipment to increase a company’s energy efficiency whilst reducing carbon emissions. The grant can provide support for a range of energy efficiency projects including solar PV installations, energy management systems, energy efficient manufacturing equipment, LED lights and sensors, battery storage for renewable energy, and more.
The EECG is open to a wide range of businesses and sectors, and you do not need to be an Invest NI Client to avail of support.
Applications for the EECG can be submitted from Monday, 29th April 2024, with the level of support offered for eligible projects determined by the size of the company. Projects of up to £300,000 (total eligible costs) can be supported at 50% for small businesses (grant of up to £150,000), 40% for medium businesses (grant of up to £120,000), and 30% for large businesses (grant of up to £90,000).
PAC Group Operations Director, Iain Parkhill, said:
‘We are excited to collaborate with Inspired Business Consultancy to assist our customers with their applications for the Energy Efficiency Capital Grant. With their expertise, we aim to support our clients, at no additional cost, to ensure the application process is streamlined and the support available is maximised.’
Founder and Lead Consultant of Inspired Business Consultancy, Rachel Doherty, said:
‘We have an excellent track record in supporting clients with grant funding applications, having secured over £3.2 million in grants and funded support to date for NI-based businesses. The EECG represents a significant opportunity for businesses of all sizes in Northern Ireland, from those involved in engineering and manufacturing, through to hospitality and tourism, to secure grant funding to support capital investment in energy efficient equipment and systems to enhance their future sustainability.’
‘Many businesses are implementing Sustainability Strategies in line with ESG requirements to decarbonise operations, and we are seeing sustainability and carbon reduction commitments increasing in procurement exercises and tenders. In many cases, the cost savings from investing in energy efficient equipment are clear, but with support from the EECG, the return-on-investment period is greatly reduced. All eligible businesses should be encouraged to explore this opportunity.’
To qualify for the grant, businesses must meet certain criteria, including:
- Being registered in Northern Ireland.
- Trading for at least two years.
- Implementing the project at premises registered for business rates with Land and Property Services.
- Demonstrating energy and carbon emission savings, with a payback period of between 1 and 8 years.
Eligible businesses are encouraged to act swiftly. Invest NI will prioritise applications for projects that can be completed by March 2025. For renewable energy projects, NIE applications will need to be completed and approval obtained prior to proceeding, which may take up to six months to process.
For more information on the Energy Efficiency Capital Grant, and to complete an initial eligibility check, visit: https://www.investni.com/support-for-business/energy-efficiency-capital-grant
To discuss your energy efficiency project, or obtain a free, no obligation quote for solar PV, contact our team on 02893 364600, or visit https://www.pacsolar.co.uk/getintouch
