The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and has a vision for Ireland’s energy to be sustainable, secure, affordable, and clean. To achieve this, Ireland must use less energy, move to clean energy, and innovate to create new solutions to meet our energy needs.
SEAI offers Government funding to encourage people to improve the energy performance of their homes, businesses and communities by installing various energy upgrades.
Home energy grants
SEAI’s home energy grants provide assistance to homeowners to reduce energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions while improving the comfort levels and making significant savings on energy costs. Grants typically cover 30% of the investment cost and are available for the following measures:
- Attic insulation
- Wall insulation – Cavity, Internal Dry Lining & External walls
- Heating controls upgrade
- Solar Thermal or PV (for electricity)
- Heat Pump Systems
- Building Energy Rating (BER)
Electric Vehicles
When it comes to transport, SEAI offers electric vehicle (EV) grants to make the switch to EVs more affordable. This includes grants for private users for plugin hybrid and battery electric vehicles and also grant support to assist homeowners install an electric vehicle charge point on their property.
Community Supports
SEAI supports communities to develop a sustainable energy system for the benefit of the community. SEAI now has 350 such communities in its Sustainable Energy Community Network working on longer term energy plans. Communities can also avail of funding for grouped energy upgrades across homes, businesses, public and community buildings. Funding for 2020 is now closed, further details can be found on www.seai.ie/grants
Business Supports
Business supports are available to help organisations of all sizes make significant savings by reducing energy use and thereby cutting energy costs. Supports and grants available are listed below:
- The SEAI Energy Academy is a free online training resource. It can help to lower energy bills by educating businesses and employees on changing energy use behaviours. It is an ideal platform for all members of a business to upskill on energy efficiency and a great way of engaging staff. The SEAI Energy Academy offers practical step-by-step energy training tailored to specific business needs.
- EXEED Grant Scheme is for companies planning a major investment and planning an energy efficient design project. It includes both public and private sector, regardless of project scale.
- Accelerated Capital Allowance is a tax incentive encouraging investment in energy saving technology.
- Support Scheme for Renewable Heat is an initiative designed to increase the energy generated from renewable sources in the heat sector. The scheme is available to commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating, public sector and other non-domestic heat users.
- Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme places obligations on energy suppliers and distributers to deliver energy savings to business and homes across Ireland. All energy types are included, electricity, gas and solid fuel.
- Project Assistance Grants help explore the opportunities to cut costs by reducing energy use. Applications are welcome from both public and private sectors. This includes buildings, industry, commercial operations, transport, and utility services.
- Energy Contracting is a ‘pay for performance’ approach to installing and operating energy technologies in your business.
SEAI also runs business energy training workshops, events and has many online business guides and resources on www.seai.ie.
For further information and updates please visit www.seai.ie.
Source: NRN & SEAI
Image Source: NRN & SEAI
