
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.
2 
The  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.
3  

(1) Invest Northern Ireland may take such action as it thinks appropriate for the purpose of promoting the efficient use of energy in industry.
(2) In particular, Invest Northern Ireland 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.
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.
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  Home Energy Conservation Act 1995.
(5) Nothing in this Article prejudices the operation of Article 17 of the  Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 (domestic energy efficiency schemes).
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  Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954).
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.
(3) Grants or loans made by Invest Northern Ireland 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 Invest Northern Ireland may determine.
8 

(1) In section 1(1) of the  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).