The Energy Efficiency (Northern Ireland) Order 1999

Statutory Instruments

1999 No. 659 (N.I. 3)

NORTHERN IRELAND

The Energy Efficiency (Northern Ireland) Order 1999

Made

10th March 1999

Coming into operation

11th May 1999

At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 10th day of March 1999

Present,

The Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty in Council

Whereas a draft of this Order has been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament:

Now, therefore, Her Majesty, in exercise of the powers conferred by paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the [1974 c. 28.] Northern Ireland Act 1974 and of all other powers enabling Her in that behalf, is pleased, by and with the advice of Her Privy Council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, as follows:—

Title and commencement

1.  This Order may be cited as the Energy Efficiency (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 and shall come into operation on the expiration of two months from the day on which it is made.

Interpretation

2.  The [1954 c. 33 (N.I.).] Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to Article 1 and the following provisions of this Order as it applies to a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Promotion of energy efficiency in industry

3.—(1) The Department of Economic Development may take such action as it thinks appropriate for the purpose of promoting the efficient use of energy in industry.

(2) In particular, that Department may for that purpose—

(a) provide financial or other assistance to any body or person engaged in industry;

(b) provide, or secure the provision of, advice;

(c) disseminate, or secure the dissemination of, information;

(d) carry out, or secure the carrying out of, research.

(3) In this Article “industry” includes commerce and business.

Promotion of energy efficiency in voluntary organisations

4.—(1) The Department of Economic Development may take such action as it thinks appropriate for the purpose of promoting the efficient use of energy by voluntary organisations.

(2) In particular, that Department may, for that purpose—

(a) provide financial or other assistance to any voluntary organisation;

(b) provide, or secure the provision of, advice;

(c) disseminate, or secure the dissemination of, information

(d) carry out, or secure the carrying out of, research.

(3) In this Article “voluntary organisation” means any association carrying on or proposing to carry on any activities otherwise than for the purpose of gain by the association or by individual members.

Promotion of energy efficiency in residential accommodation

5.—(1) The Department of the Environment may take such action as it thinks appropriate for the purpose of promoting the efficient use of energy in residential accommodation.

(2) In particular, that Department may for that purpose—

(a) provide financial or other assistance to any body whose functions include the promotion of energy efficiency in residential accommodation;

(b) provide, or secure the provision of, advice;

(c) disseminate, or secure the dissemination of, information;

(d) carry out, or secure the carrying out of, research.

(3) The Department of the Environment may delegate any of its functions under this Article to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive on such terms and conditions as that Department may determine.

(4) In this Article “residential accommodation” has the meaning assigned by section 1 of the [1995 c. 10.] Home Energy Conservation Act 1995.

(5) Nothing in this Article prejudices the operation of Article 17 of the [1990 NI 15.] Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 (domestic energy efficiency schemes).

Promotion of energy efficiency in public bodies

6.—(1) The Department of the Environment may take such action as it thinks appropriate for the purpose of promoting the efficient use of energy by public bodies.

(2) In particular, that Department may for that purpose—

(a) provide financial or other assistance to any public body;

(b) provide, or secure the provision of, advice;

(c) disseminate, or secure the dissemination of, information.

(3) In this Article “public body” means a body established by a statutory provision (as defined by section 1(f) of the [1954 c. 33 (N.I.).] Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954).

Financial assistance under this Order

7.—(1) In this Order “financial assistance” means—

(a) grants; or

(b) loans, whether or not carrying interest or interest at a commercial rate.

(2) Grants or loans made by a Northern Ireland department under this Order—

(a) shall be of such amounts; and

(b) shall be made on such terms and conditions (including, in the case of grants, conditions as to repayment),

as may be determined by that department, with the approval of the Department of Finance and Personnel.

Amendment and repeals

8.—(1) In section 1(1) of the [1995 c. 10.] Home Energy Conservation Act 1995, in the definition of “residential accommodation” in paragraph (ab)—

(a) the words “or Northern Ireland” are hereby repealed; and

(b) for the words “as the case may be,” there shall be substituted the words “, in the case of a house-boat in Northern Ireland, is a dwelling-house for”.

(2) In the Energy Conservation Act 1981, the following 1981 c. 17. provisions are hereby repealed, namely—

(a) section 15;

(b) in section 28(a) the words “references in section 15 to the Secretary of State and”; and

(c) section 28(b).

A.K. Galloway

Clerk of the Privy Council

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order confers power—

(a) on the Department of Economic Development to promote the efficient use of energy in industry and in voluntary organisations; and

(b) on the Department of the Environment to promote the efficient use of energy in residential accommodation and by public bodies.