Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2018
510. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the grants available for businesses for heating and window insulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3969/18]
View answerMy Department funds a number of incentives and supports for businesses to become more energy efficient, thereby controlling their cost base, supporting them to become more energy efficient and act on climate change. These are operated through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and include the supports below.
The EXEED (excellence in energy efficiency and design) scheme provides advice and grant support for businesses to improve their approach to the design, construction and commissioning processes for new investments and upgrades to existing assets. I have increased the funding allocation for this flagship initiative from €2.5m last year to €10m for this year.
Advice, training and supports are available from SEAI on the steps businesses can take to improve their energy management, on energy audits to identify opportunities and supports to achieve continued improvement and/or certification. These supports include free information, best practice guides and online energy management strategies tailored to different sectors and online self–assessment and training. Project assistance grants are available to help businesses developing energy performance contract (EPC) solutions to finance the delivery of energy efficiency projects.
The Better Energy Communities (BEC) scheme administered by the SEAI is a community programme where business can access funding for energy efficiency and building fabric improvement as part of an integrated project in the local community. The 2018 call for proposals closed on 26 January but interested businesses should contact SEAI to see how they can start preparing for next year’s fund.
I recently announced the planned introduction of a Support Scheme for Renewable Heat. The scheme is designed to financially support the replacement of fossil fuel heating systems with renewable energy for commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating, public sector and other non-domestic businesses. The scheme will consist of two types of support mechanism – an operational support (paid for up to 15 years) for biomass heating systems or anaerobic digestion heating systems; and a grant to support investment in renewable heating systems that use heat pumps. Further information on this scheme is available on the Renewable Energy section of my Department's website.
Further information on the Energy Efficiency opportunities is available on the SEAI website. You may also like to note that SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members: oireachtas@seai.ie and these queries will be dealt with promptly.
