Industrial energy audit grants

If you want to improve energy use in your business but aren't sure where to start, an energy audit can be an invaluable tool.

An energy audit evaluates how energy is being used, and identifies the biggest energy and cost-saving opportunities.

To help your business unlock those savings, EECA helps fund energy audits of key energy-using technologies. EECA's industrial energy audit grants cover:

  • motorised systems (compressed air, pumping and fan systems)
  • process heat and space heating
  • refrigeration systems.

Who is eligible?

Your business or site may be eligible for an industrial energy audit grant if it has:

  • 150 kW or more of electric motor capacity in motorised systems including refrigeration; or
  • 1.5 MWt of capacity in heat plant for hot water or steam systems. This covers heat used both for industrial processes, and space heating.

What's on offer?

Eligible businesses can get EECA funding towards ‘base-level' or ‘investment-level' energy audits. These are conducted according to specific audit standards approved by EECA. You can select the scope and type of audit suited to your needs.

Base-level audit Investment-level audit
Identifies key energy efficiency opportunities in one or more of the technology areas. Provides detailed measurement and analysis of opportunities to support investment decisions.
Scope and size requirements

Single technology audit: minimum capacity of 150kW (motors) or 1.5MWt (boiler) in the technology.

Multiple technologies: minimum of 150kW of capacity in motor systems and refrigeration technologies in total.

Scope and size requirements

A single technology audit (e.g. a pumping system), usually defined from an earlier base-level audit or similar assessment.
EECA grant

Single technology:

- Option one: $800 per system greater than 20kW, up to $2,400 per audit.

- Option two: up to 40% of audit cost, to maximum of $20,000 per audit*.

Multiple technologies: up to 40% of audit cost, to maximum of $20,000 per site*.

 EECA grant

Up to 40% of audit cost, to maximum of $20,000 per site*.

* To access funding for this type of audit, you will need to commit to an agreed action plan, arising from the audit results.

Further EECA funding may be available to support projects recommended by energy audits.

How do I apply?

All EECA-funded energy audits are carried out by experienced, approved EECA programme partners. If you'd like to apply for an Industrial energy audit grant, contact a programme partner directly. They can advise on the best type of energy audit for you, and manage the application.

Company Pumping systems programme partner
 Fan systems programme partner
Compressed air systems programme partner
Energy NZ Ltd  X X  X
Enercon Ltd  X X  X
Demand Response Ltd  X X  X
Energy Management Solutions Ltd  X X  X
Integrated Technology and Energy Solutions Ltd  X X  
MAS Engineers Ltd  X X  
Norman Disney & Young Ltd  X X  
Energy Veritas Ltd  X X  
East Harbour Energy Ltd  X    
Ahika Consulting
  X    
DETA Consulting  X X  
Ivan A Fraser Ltd  X X  X
Fanzone Air Systems   X  
Windsor Engineering Group   X  
PSL Wholesale Ltd      X
Atlas Copco NZ Ltd      X

If you would like an energy audit of process heat or refrigeration systems, you can find accredited energy auditors with expertise in these areas through the Energy Management Association of New Zealand or the Institute of Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers.

A base-level energy audit across several technologies, or an investment-level audit, requires a contract between the business and EECA.  Download the audit grant application form.

To find out more, email an EECA Business adviser.

Other EECA funding

EECA offers a range of other funding options to help reduce the risk for businesses wanting to invest in energy efficiency improvements or renewable energy.

  • Industrial project grants - further EECA grants are available to support energy efficiency or renewable energy projects, and feasibility studies. Find out more.
  • Commercial buildings - EECA grants are available for energy efficiency projects, energy management and building design. Find out more.
  • Crown loans are available to public sector organisations for energy efficiency or renewable energy projects. Find out more.
  • The Energising Business programme targets energy-saving in smaller businesses. Find out more.

Even if you don't qualify for EECA funding, an energy audit could be a valuable tool to assess energy-saving opportunities in your business. You can find out more about energy audits, and find an accredited auditor, through the Energy Management Association of New Zealand.