To ask the Minister for the Economy whether he will seek to introduce a replacement for the Central Energy Efficiency Fund to improve energy efficiency in public buildings.

As the Department for the Economy (DfE) leads on energy policy including oversight for strategic energy management across NI Central Government, I will respond to the question originally directed to the Finance Minister.

In January 2019 the NICS Board approved the Energy Management Strategy and Action Plan (EMS) for NI Central Government. My Department sponsors an Energy Management Unit in the Strategic Investment Board to work across central government to deliver on this.

The Strategy includes the adoption of a net energy consumption reduction target of 30% by 2030 for NI Central Government that will ensure that Government does not spend any more on energy costs in 2030 than it does today. It is estimated that an investment of £370m is required over the period to 2030 to achieve this aim.

A critical action contained within the EMS is the creation of an energy ‘invest to save’ approach to funding. This funding mechanism aims to establish effective energy management procurement opportunities that unlock value. It is recognised that it is not feasible to achieve the 30% energy consumption reduction target without targeted investment.

I have therefore secured £10million in capital funding to pilot an energy ‘invest to save fund’ across the central government estate as part of the Economic Recovery Action Plan (ERAP) which will not only provide an economic stimulus but also to unlock energy savings across central government. This pilot will inform the development and roll-out of a substantive funding approach in future years.