Scope
Reference
DAC 22/25
Description
The Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme NISEP funds energy efficiency measures with most funding targeted at vulnerable customers. It is an 8 million fund collected annually from electricity customers through a public service obligation (PSO) levied on NIE Networks customers. The Department for the Economy DfE also uses NISEP as a vehicle to distribute additional government funding to support domestic energy efficiency. The UR are required to administer this scheme under NIE N's licence condition 43. The contract is for a supplier to act as a Programme Adminstrator for NISEP.
Contract 1. NISEP Programme Administrator
Supplier
Contract value
- £2,000,000 excluding VAT
- £2,400,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
30 October 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 February 2026 to 31 March 2028
- Possible extension to 31 March 2030
- 4 years, 2 months
Description of possible extension:
There are two options to extend; one year each.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 65000000 - Public utilities
Contract locations
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
Exclusions
If at any time during the procurement, or post award, it comes to the attention of the Contracting Authority (CA) or CPD, by whatever means, that a Supplier has become 'excluded' or 'excludable' as per Sec 57 of the PA 2023, the CA, after compliance with its obligations under the PA 23, reserves the right to exclude said Supplier from the procurement procedure or terminate any contract they have been awarded.
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
- Single supplier - intellectual property or exclusive rights
- Additional or repeat goods, services or works - further goods, services or works following a competitive procedure
The supplier owns the intellectual property fundamental to administering the NISEP, this includes several tools/models that are unique and necessary to administer the scheme and accurately account for energy and carbon savings.
Given the level of expertise required and the difficulties replicating the intellectual property, it would be impractical to employ a new provider as a significant lead in time is necessary. The preparatory work required and overlapping nature of the NISEP years, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding any extension announcements, do not make it an attractive prospect for potential new Programme Administrators.
In addition to the impracticalities of contracting a new provider any transition would also involve some cost duplication with the supplier who at the very least is required to audit past schemes while another administrator would need to start afresh with developing the tool and accepting bids for the following year. It is vital that a robust framework is in place to ensure that the NISEP delivers VFM.
Supplier
ENERGY SAVING TRUST ENTERPRISES LIMITED
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXPT-6886-LVQX
223-231 Pentonville Road
London
N1 9NG
United Kingdom
Email: futuremarkets@est.org.uk
Region: UKI43 - Haringey and Islington
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. NISEP Programme Administrator
Contracting authority
Utility Regulator (UREGNI)
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWCB-8418-YTPD
14 Queen St
Belfast
BT1 6ED
United Kingdom
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
CPD - Supplies & Services Division
Summary of their role in this procurement: Construction and Procurement Delivery - Supplies and Services Division, is a Centre of Procurement Expertise and provides a central procurement function for central government in Northern Ireland
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVWG-8426-YWXV
303 Airport Road West
Belfast
BT3 9ED
United Kingdom
Region: UKN06 - Belfast