The Utility Regulator has published the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) Framework Document for 2027/2029 and also the Accedence Agreement, which forms part of this Framework Document as Appendix 5, alongside the ‘Call for Schemes’.
The Framework Document provides the rules and procedures for organisations wishing to participate in the Utility Regulator’s NISEP Programme. Any changes to the previous Framework Document and Accedence Agreement have been highlighted in yellow throughout these documents for ease of reference.
Primary Bidders eligible to register with the Programme Administrator, Energy Saving Trust, to bid for NISEP funding for 2027/2029 must:
- Complete the Call for Schemes Registration Form and return it to Energy Saving Trust by 23 October 2026; and
- Sign and return the Accedence Agreement to the Utility Regulator by 12 November 2026.
Energy Saving Trust may request further documentation to be submitted in advance of the scheme submission deadline. Failure to submit any of these documents on time may result in scheme submissions being rejected.
Primary Bidder next steps
Following receipt of the completed Call for Schemes Registration Form, Energy Saving Trust will send out a Scheme Submission Pack, including electronic copies of the most up-to-date versions of the scheme submission spreadsheet, which must be used for scheme submission. Instructions will also be given on the additional information required.
Please note, the Scheme Submission Pack will be issued no earlier than 30 October 2026.
The deadline for the submission of schemes is 15 December 2026.
Energy Saving Trust will provide advice and guidance to Primary Bidders on the bid submission process up to and including 4 December 2026. Primary Bidders are therefore encouraged to raise any queries in advance of this date. All schemes must be submitted in their final and complete format by 15 December 2026. Any submissions that are incomplete or are of insufficient quality may be rejected.
Please note that it is the responsibility of applicants to ensure that the information provided within their scheme submissions is accurate and fully compliant with the Framework Document.
Energy Saving Trust will evaluate the proposals for schemes as part of a competitive process and make recommendations to the Utility Regulator for approval. The Utility Regulator will formally notify applicants in March 2027 as to whether or not their submissions have been successful. Please note that delays to the approvals process may occur if the Programme Administrator is required to seek clarification and/or further information on points within any of the scheme submissions.
The Call for Schemes Registration Form, any supporting documentation requested by Energy Saving Trust and subsequent bids for funding, should be emailed to: nisep@est.org.uk.