Sport NI: Renewable Energy Fund

Overview

OBJECTIVE

The Renewable Energy Fund has one overarching objective:

“To reduce the environmental impact of sports clubs in Northern Ireland.”

However, the programme also has secondary objectives, which reflect commitments made in Sport NI’s Corporate Plan – The Power of Sport (2021-2026), including:

• To reduce the environmental footprint of sports clubs.
• To reduce carbon emissions at sports clubs.
• To contribute to a more sustainable sports club network.
• To create a ‘greener’ sports club sector.
• To save on utility bills and reduce costs, enabling sports clubs to redirect resources back into their clubs/sport.

HOW THIS PROGRAMME WILL BE DELIVERED

In 2023/24 the Renewable Energy Fund will operate as a ‘pilot programme’. Subsequently, the ‘pilot’ will not use scoring criteria and applications will not be assessed. The primary purpose of the pilot programme is to provide learning to Sport NI so that they become more knowledgeable about types of energy interventions and their impact, as well as helping to shape future rounds of the Renewable Energy Fund (subject to budget availability).

The application form takes approximately 1-2 minutes to complete. Applications to this Pilot Programme will be selected at random (process outlined in the information and guidance notes), with those selected progressing with project delivery. The programme is being delivered in two main stages:

• Project Development and Project Delivery.

At the Project Development stage, applicants will be required to procure an energy consultant to undertake a ‘building energy survey’ which will identify potential energy projects (more information at Chapter 11). At the development stage the maximum project value will be £3,000.

At the Project Delivery stage, applicants will procure suppliers/contractors to undertake the installation works for the preferred energy project (more information at Chapter 11). At the delivery stage the maximum project value will be £30,000.

WHO CAN APPLY?

The Renewable Energy Fund Pilot Programme will ONLY accept applications from the following organisations who either own or operate their own sports facilities:

• Sports clubs (affiliated to a Sport Northern Ireland recognised governing body of sport).

WHAT TYPE OF PROJECTS CAN BE FUNDED?

Sport NI are interested in taking forward the following types of energy projects within sports clubs:

• Solar Energy Systems (and ancillary equipment).
• Air Source Heating Systems (and ancillary equipment).
• Ground Source Heating Systems (and ancillary equipment).
• Sustainable Water Recycling Systems.
• Fixed Floodlight Upgrades (Specifically upgrades to LED Bulbs and Connection to Grid).

Sport NI may consider alternative interventions if recommended in your club energy audit, and if the benefits of that intervention have been clearly articulated.

PARTNERSHIP FUNDING?

At the Development Award stage, Sport NI will fund:

• 50% of development costs up to the value of £3k.

At the Project Delivery stage, Sport NI will fund:

• 80% of project delivery costs up to the value of £30k.

*Note: Sport NI will also consider enhanced funding for clubs located in the top 25% of the Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure. See information and guidance for further information.