Sustainable Government Investment Program

The Sustainable Government Investment Program (SGIP), formally known as Government Energy and Water Efficiency Investment Program (GEEIP), was established under the NSW Treasury Loan Fund to help agencies finance water and/or energy and related greenhouse gas emissions saving projects they have the capacity to implement themselves. Through SGIP, budget-dependent NSW Government agencies can access between $10,000 and $500,000 per project (or $1 million for NSW Health).

The NSW Treasury Loan Fund provides $40 million a year either through SGIP or, for larger projects, via performance contracts.  Typical projects under SGIP include improving the energy efficiency of lighting, heating, ventilation and cooling systems, hot water and appliance upgrades.

Eligibility criteria

• the agency must be budget-dependent
• the project must not be part of the agency's forward capital program
• the internal rate of return (IRR) of the project must be greater than or equal to 12% and at least 75% of the project's gross benefits must be savings from improved water and/or energy and greenhouse gas emissions efficiency
• the maximum loan term is seven years (with repayments every six months)
• the project must be independently verified.

Projects that meet the criteria are eligible for the full capital cost and any associated costs for water and/or energy and greenhouse gas emissions efficiency upgrades.

Using in-house skills, technical consultants or product suppliers, agencies can identify and implement water and/or energy and greenhouse gas emissions efficiency projects without up-front capital. Agencies can implement one project at a time, or bundle them up into a single SGIP application with many smaller components.

How do I apply?

The Sustainable Government Investment Program - Guide for Applicants sets out the details of the Program, including the objectives, eligibility, selection criteria, assessment process and how to apply for funding.

Download Sustainable Government Investment Program - Guide for Applicants (10752TLFGuide.pdf, 2MB, requires Acrobat reader)

Application form

Contact OEH on 1300 361 967 or email us to obtain a copy of the application form and instructions.

SGIP Projects

In October 2001, the NSW Treasury Loan Fund was expanded to introduce SGIP.  $5.7 million has been allocated to 24 projects which include:

• State Records of NSW: New Lighting Accounts For Savings At Archives
• Western Sydney Area Health Service: Health Energy Upgrades Exceed Expectations
• NSW Fisheries: Fisheries Hooks Funding For Energy Upgrades 
• NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service: Lighting Upgrades.