NISEP — Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
A yearly pot of energy-efficiency funding, at least 80% of which is reserved for lower-income 'priority' households. Grants are first come, first served and popular schemes run waiting lists.
- Worth
- Varies by scheme — typically part or full funding of insulation and heating measures
- Run by
- Utility Regulator, administered by the Energy Saving Trust and delivered by 11 scheme managers
- Status
- Open
Who qualifies
- You are a homeowner or private tenant in Northern Ireland
- Priority group (80% of the funding): someone in the household receives a means-tested benefit such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA or income-related ESA
- …or household income is under £28,000 (single person) or £35,000 (couple or family)
- Non-priority schemes exist for other households, but with far less funding available
What it covers
Depends on the individual scheme manager — commonly loft and cavity wall insulation, heating upgrades and whole-house packages for priority households; some schemes offer air-source heat pumps for homes off the gas grid.
How to apply
Check the current year's list of schemes on the Utility Regulator website, then apply directly to the scheme manager running the measure you need. Apply early in the programme year — funds are allocated from April and popular schemes fill up.
The 2026/27 programme runs from April 2026 to March 2027 or until funds are used. NISEP has been confirmed to continue until at least March 2029.
Questions people ask
What counts as a 'priority' household?
Anyone receiving a means-tested benefit, or with a household income under £28,000 (single) or £35,000 (couple/family). Priority households get at least 80% of all NISEP funding.
Can I get a heat pump through NISEP?
Some scheme managers fund air-source heat pumps for priority households, particularly off-gas-grid homes, but it is limited and not guaranteed. There is no NI equivalent of the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme yet.
Source
Official page: https://www.uregni.gov.uk/sustainability
Last checked automatically on 7 September 2026 — page reachable ✓.
Not sure this is the right scheme?
Run the one-minute eligibility check