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The potential sources of funding are forever changing as budgets get restricted and policy directions vary. EMANZ believes that the information below was accurate in August 2011. If you are aware of policy changes since that time or know of other funding sources available please let EMANZ know so that this web site can be kept up to date.

EECA administer most of the funding streams available for energy management projects. Some of the funding currently available includes:

Energy Audit Grants

Many EMANZ members are accredited energy auditors and will be aware of the EECA audit grant schemes but here are some details for other members. Note that EECA policy may change at any time and you should check the current situation if intending to apply for a grant. There is more information on energy audits in the EMANZ Energy Auditing Programme section of this website.

Eligibility

A business may be eligible for a grant for part of the cost of the energy audit if it spends more than $250,000 a year on energy (per site).

The maximum amount of the grant is 33% of the cost of a level 2 or level 3 audit, and the cap is 3% of the annual energy cost, to a maximum of $20,000 per site.

Preference will be given to:

Audits of processes or facilities in the tourism or food processing industries
Audits of commercial buildings
Organisations that commit to implementing 50% of the audit recommendations that will deliver payback within 12 months.

To qualify an organisation must:

Commit to developing an action plan from the energy audit
Provide proof of an active energy management policy or plan
Engage an accredited energy auditor
Provide at least one competitively priced quote (two quotes preferred).

More information at: www.eecabusiness.govt.nz/services-and-funding/audit-grants/energy-audit

Design Audit Grants

If planning a new building it is desirable to audit the design to determine whether the proposed new premises, processes, or technologies are as energy efficient as they could be.

EECA may fund 33% of the cost of a design audit for buildings over 1,000 sq metres. More details at: www.eecabusiness.govt.nz/services-and-funding/audit-grants/energy-audit/design-audit.

Fleet Audits Grants

Often the energy efficiency of a vehicle fleet is overlooked and Fleet Audits can be used to demonstrate whether heavy vehicles are meeting organisation needs, while minimising their environmental impact. A fleet of 20 heavy vehicles or more is required to qualify and EECA may be prepared to fund up to $10,000 per site towards the cost of a fleet audit. Grants can also be applied to audits of marine vessels such as fishing boats.

More details at: www.eecabusiness.govt.nz/services-and-funding/audit-grants/fleet-audit

Scoping study grants

If annual energy spend is more than $1 million, EECA may be able to provide up to $5,000 towards a scoping study

Technology implementation grants

New technology can help businesses become more energy efficient, boosting profitability and competitiveness. But finding capital to invest in new technology isn't always easy, especially if they are new technologies not yet proven in New Zealand.

If a business spends more than $250,000 per year on energy - including transport fuel – it may be eligible for a grant towards the cost of implementing a technology project.

The grant must be for energy efficiency or renewable energy projects.

The maximum amount of the grant is 33% of the cost of implementing the project, to a maximum of $50,000 per site.

Businesses must also:

be prepared to make key information publicly available - including project details, energy performance and payback period
have the capability to deliver the project
fund 67% of the capital cost
allow third-party monitoring and evaluation
disclose any other funding assistance.

More details at: www.eecabusiness.govt.nz/services-and-funding/technology-grants

Projects which have received EECA funding include:

The present (August 2011) EECA business grants are summarised below:

Direct business grant	Minimum eligibility criteria	Max grant available	Priority will be given to initiatives that meet one or more of the following:
Energy audit (level 2 or 3)	$25,000 p.a. total energy spend	33% of project cost 3% of annual energy cost, up to $20,000 per site	Action plan developed from audit Commitment to action 50% of recommendations with less than 12 month payback Proof of active energy management
Fleet audits	Heavy transport and marine fleets of more than 20 vehicles	33% of project cost $10,000 per site	Action plan developed from audit Proof of active energy management
Design audits	1,000m2 building area	33% of project cost $10,000 per site	Action plan developed from audit Proof of active energy management
Scoping study	$1 million p.a. total energy spend	33% of project cost $5,000 per site	Commitment to implement study recommendation for Level 3 audit, or technology project Proof of active energy management
Implementation	$250,000 p.a. total energy spend	33% of project cost $50,000 per site	Project indentified in energy audit or equivalent Energy savings exceed cost of energy supply Avoid greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions cost-effectively Reduce waste disposal costs or increase returns Savings are guaranteed (where applicable) Can be replicated widely Projects >2 year payback Promote combustion tuning or process heat efficiency Demonstrate new or under-utilised technology or process.

This table is accurate as at 1 August 2011. Criteria and priorities may change.

MSI business support

The Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI) is New Zealand’s largest government funder of research and development (R&D). MSI builds links between business, government and research organisations to improve New Zealand’s wealth through science and innovation.

It invests in businesses that have the potential to transform our economy. They provide funding, support and advice to help companies undertake R&D projects and build their R&D and commercialisation capabilities.

There may be few projects that EMANZ members are involved with that will be able to access MSI funding but this is an organisation we should be aware of. Some of the specific areas of MSI business support are listed below. Check their website for up to date information. http://www.msi.govt.nz/home

Business support available from MSI

MSI works with businesses regardless of size to find out what they need and provide access to funding, advice and support to achieve their goals.

Whether you are a small start-up or a large established exporter, MSI can tailor a package to help you develop your business and get your products to market faster. We can connect you to global experts, research partners and companies with complementary skills and advice in commercialisation and intellectual property.

Technology Development Grant

Technology Development Grants (the Grant) support firms with a good track record in R&D that spend a significant proportion of their revenue on research.

The Grant reimburses 20 per cent of eligible R&D expenditure, up to $2.4 million (excl. GST) a year.

Note, the Grant is run as a contestable process and registrations for the 2011 investment round have now closed. There will be a further funding round each year.

For the 2011 investment round, around $48.3m over three years was available for investments.

Technology Transfer Voucher

The Technology Transfer Voucher is one of the MSI solutions to help businesses grow.

The Voucher programme is targeted at businesses with limited R&D capability that lack the specific in-house capability to carry out a piece of research, and have well-defined problems or ideas that will benefit from the R&D expertise and services in a research organisation.
For 2011/2012, $5 million of funding is available for vouchers. Vouchers can range from $30,000 to id=mce_marker million (GST exclusive).
14 accredited R&D partners are available to businesses to redeem their voucher with. These are mainly universities or Crown Research Institutes

R&D capability funding for businesses

Capability funding is designed to improve the R&D capability of businesses and give them the tools they need to succeed. It is suitable for companies at all stages of growth.

There are several types of capability funding products available, listed on this page.

MSI will invest $10 million in capability funding in 2010/11.

MSI does not take an equity stake in a company it invests in. These companies are not normally required to pay back any of the funding they receive.