Net Zero Accelerator

What is the Net Zero Accelerator?

The Net Zero Accelerator is a joint initiative from the Department for the Economy and Invest Northern Ireland.

It aims to identify and understand net zero projects that could help Northern Ireland reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency and build a more resilient, low-carbon economy.

Through this process, we want to better understand the opportunities and barriers facing organisations developing these projects. The information gathered will help inform future policy development, programme design and potential support mechanisms.

Please note The Net Zero Accelerator is not a funding competition.

Submitting information does not guarantee funding, financial support or inclusion in any future programme.

How can my business benefit from the Net Zero Accelerator?

By sharing information about your project, you can help us:

identify the opportunities and challenges facing net zero projects in Northern Ireland
highlight financial, regulatory and delivery barriers
inform the development of future policies and support mechanisms
strengthen understanding of projects with the potential to deliver environmental and economic benefits
support the development of a pipeline of investable net zero projects

Participation may also help identify existing support that could be relevant to your project.

Who can complete the Request for Information (RFI)?

The Net Zero Accelerator is seeking information from organisations developing projects in Northern Ireland that support the transition to a net zero economy, including:

Industrial decarbonisation
Energy efficiency
Renewable energy integration
Energy storage and flexibility
Low-carbon infrastructure
Clean energy technologies
Other projects that contribute to a low-carbon economy

Projects should have progressed beyond the initial concept stage and demonstrate the potential to move forward within the next few years.

Submitting information does not constitute an application for funding or support. The information gathered will help DfE and Invest NI better understand current and future net zero investment opportunities and the barriers facing organisations in Northern Ireland.

If you would like to find out more about Invest NI support, including eligibility criteria and how to become an Invest NI client, see how we support business

Who is eligible for the Net Zero Accelerator?

To be considered, projects must:

be located, or planned to be located, in Northern Ireland
require a minimum capital investment of £2.5 million
support net zero and low-carbon energy priorities
have a clearly identified project promoter or delivery organisation
be beyond the early concept stage
face identifiable barriers to delivery, such as planning, grid connection, finance or regulatory challenges
have the potential to progress within the next three to five years if those barriers are addressed

Important information

Submitting information through the Net Zero Accelerator:

is not an application for a grant, loan or other financial support
does not create any entitlement to funding now or in the future
does not place any obligation on Invest Northern Ireland, the Department for the Economy or delivery partners to provide support or funding

How to tell us about your project?

If your project is eligible, you will be invited to provide additional information through a Request for Information (RFI).

Is your project located, or planned to be located, in Northern Ireland?

Yes

No

Could the project be delivered within the next 36 months?

Yes

No

Is the anticipated capital investment for the project greater than £2.5 million?

Yes

No

Thank you for your interest in the Net Zero Accelerator. Based on the information provided, your project may be relevant to the Net Zero Accelerator Request for Information (RFI).

Please complete the enquiry form. Once submitted, you will receive a link to the RFI template, where you can provide further information about your project.

Please note that completion of the RFI does not guarantee support or funding. The information provided will help us understand the scale, nature and requirements of potential net zero projects across Northern Ireland.

First Name

Last Name

Business Name

Email address

By submitting this enquiry form, you confirm that have read and understood the eligibility questions.

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Sorry, based on your answers, your project is not eligible for the Net Zero Accelerator.

For more information on the eligibility criteria, download the Net Zero Accelerator Guidance Notes (PDF) for details on eligible projects.

What happens next?

After reviewing the information submitted, projects may:

be included in a project pipeline to help inform future programme development and policy design
be signposted to existing support where appropriate
be invited to take part in follow-up discussions about project readiness and delivery barriers

Please note that not all projects will progress beyond this stage. Participation should not be viewed as an indication of future funding or support.

If your organisation is developing a project that could contribute to Northern Ireland's net zero transition, complete the eligibility checker below to find out if your project may be suitable for the Net Zero Accelerator.

For more information:

Read our Net Zero Accelerator Guidance notes (PDF)

Read our Frequently asked questions about the Net Zero Accelerator (PDF)

Data submitted within this project will be shared between Invest NI and DfE as part of the joint initiative.