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Energy Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013

Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Questions (450)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Question:

450. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will approve the proposal of energy efficient infra-red heating panels to be eligible for triple E listing on the ACA scheme. [25751/13]

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Written answers

The Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) Scheme was introduced under Section 46 of the Finance Act 2008 as an incentive to encourage companies to procure highly energy efficient equipment and in turn assist Ireland in meeting its EU targets for the reduction of carbon emissions. The scheme, which is overseen by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and was due to run for a trial period of three years, was extended in the Finance Act 2011 for a further 3 years to end 2014.

The ACA offers an incentive whereby it allows companies to write off 100% of the purchase value of qualifying energy efficient equipment against their profit in the year of purchase rather than over the normal eight year depreciation period. By encouraging companies to purchase energy efficient equipment, the ACA aims to improve the overall energy efficiency of Irish companies Additionally it benefits companies, especially Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), by reducing tax liabilities, increasing cash flows and reducing future energy costs.

SEAI continuously review the eligible technology categories and criteria with a view to amending the Triple E (Energy Efficient Equipment)/ACA list of qualifying products as appropriate. Currently the ACA, which has been incorporated into the wider Triple E register, covers 10 different equipment categories and 52 associated technologies, and only energy efficient equipment that meets the relevant eligibility criteria are listed. Twice a year (April and November) Statutory Instruments (S.I.) are published with the latest updates of eligibility criteria and eligible products. With the publication of the latest Order (SI 123 of 2013), there are now over 10,000 products on the ACA list.

Regarding the specific product, namely radiant heaters, the advice to me from the SEAI is that the dedicated testing standard for radiant panels (EN 14037) describes a procedure for measuring the rated thermal output and the mean surface temperature of the panel but does not describe a procedure for testing the radiant efficiency of the panel. In the absence of such a standardised test procedure for this critical parameter it is not possible to objectively define efficiency criteria for their inclusion in the Triple E/ACA database. Further information on the ACA scheme, including the list of ACA categories, eligibility criteria and product register, can be found on SEAI’s website – www.seai.ie/aca.

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