Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2024
67. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on heat pump installations in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024 as part of the national retrofitting plan; how this compares to the targets set for the same period; what percentage of the 2030 target have been installed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21495/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan and National Retrofit Plan set targets to install 45,000 heat pumps in existing homes by end-2025 and a total of 400,000 by 2030.
Data from SEAI shows that in the period 2019 to end-April 2024, 148,640 property upgrades have been supported. Of these, 11,730 have installed a heat pump, mostly under the SEAI part-funded, demand-led schemes. In addition, data from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage shows that an additional 4,723 heat pumps were installed under its Local Authority Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme in the period 2021-2023. The almost 16,600 heat pump installations represent 37% of the 2025 target and 4% of the 2030 target.
There has been significant year-on-year growth in the number of heat pumps installed in recent years. Last year’s total of almost 6,000 heat pumps represents a 44% increase on 2022 and a 430% increase on the number installed in 2019. This growth has resulted from a range of measures set out in the National Retrofit Plan including:
• New and redesigned SEAI schemes with enhanced grant rates of up to €10,500 available for heat pumps when a B2 energy rating is achieved;
• Changes to SEAI scheme rules to make the process of accessing heat pump grants easier for homeowners;
• Measures to expand the supply chain;
• An €8 billion budget allocation to support retrofit and heat pump installations to 2030; and
• A focus on installing heat pumps within the Local Authority Retrofit Programme.
It is clear from the 2025 heat pumps target and the annual financial allocations set out in the National Retrofit Plan that it has always been envisaged that the first half of the decade will be focused on growing both demand for heat pumps and the necessary supply chain with a further significant acceleration from 2026. Increasing the uptake of heat pumps among homeowners is a top priority of my Department and as such, further policies and measures will be introduced on an annual basis in order to support the achievement of these targets.
