Objectives
GIDI: Commercial Buildings offers co-funding to help install and upgrade to cleaner, smarter, energy-efficient, and low emissions technologies. Its focus is the replacement of fossil fuel boilers for space and water heating in commercial buildings.
Eligibility
- Open to commercial building owners (and tenants with the owner’s consent) for space and water heating projects.
- Co-funding is limited to a maximum of 50% of eligible project costs.
- Total project costs must be at least $300,000.
- Applications must be for the incremental capitalised project costs, not operating costs.
EECA is not making new financial commitments or entering into contractual arrangements related to the GIDI Fund at this time. Check back for updates.
What kind of project is it for?
- The replacement of fossil fuel boilers for space and water heating in existing commercial buildings.
- Funding is not available for new buildings.
- Replacement technologies must be commercially available and proven and meet minimum specifications.
- Heat pumps must meet the requirements set out in the Applicant Guide (see below).
- We’re looking for projects that demonstrate optimised system design, including the capacity of the heat pump.
- Projects must be fully commissioned and operational within two years of application.
- New technologies must meet minimum specifications (see details below).
Samson Corporation’s journey to net carbon zero building management
Property investment company Samson have transformed Parnell’s Axis building from a chocolate factory to a mixed-use, low emissions space.
The opportunity for commercial buildings
EECA’s Energy End Use Database shows that heating spaces is the largest use of energy in the commercial sector (excluding transport). It is also the largest use of most fossil fuels, and the sector’s largest source of carbon emissions.
Switching away from fossil fuels can have many benefits for business, beyond reducing carbon emissions.
The key co-benefits include:
- Cost savings – reduce operating costs through energy efficiency and fuel switching.
- Social license – improve your reputation with socially responsible consumers and investors.
- Brand value – tap into new markets, spark innovation and create business opportunities.
- Employee engagement – attract and retain talent.
- Avoid inflationary costs – coal and gas are being phased out. Stay ahead of regulation for climate change mitigation and avoid inflationary costs by doing inevitable capital projects earlier.
Application process
*Note that we are currently not processing new applications.
To apply, complete the online form. Please take the time first to carefully read and understand the applicant guide and other application documents linked below. The applicant guide includes information about how our decision-making process works, when you can expect to hear from us about your application, and what your funding agreement would cover.
Application documents
Business Case Checklist [PDF, 327 KB]
Proposed funding agreement [PDF, 1.1 MB]
Financial Assessment Template [XLSX, 228 KB]
If you have any questions, you can email us at GIDIfund@eeca.govt.nz
Applicant & Supplier Briefing Webinar
58 minutes
Watch the briefing session for interested applicants to get further insight into the application process and how to prepare. This webinar was held on 26 September 2023.
Minimum technology specifications
EECA’s Publicly Available Specifications (PAS), produced by Standards New Zealand, provide best-practice specifications for non-regulated products. Applications for projects involving high-temperature heat pumps or biomass boilers must check the relevant PAS to ensure their applications align with the minimum specifications.