Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 February 2019
489. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the energy saving grants available to small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, and businesses; the grants available to SMEs and businesses for solar power system installation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9474/19]
View answerMy Department, through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), provides a range of supports for SMEs to improve their energy efficiency. Grant programmes include:
- The Smart Lighting Scheme - as lighting is a significant cost for many SMEs, this scheme provides up to 30% of the upgrade costs helping businesses to upgrade to more efficient lighting, and permanently reduce their future energy use and spend.
- The Dairy Farm Grants - administered by SEAI in collaboration with Teagasc - with up to 40% of total technology and installation costs covered by the grant. Participating farmers have achieved an average saving of €1,440 per annum on their electricity bills through this grant scheme. The 2019 scheme was launched on 18 February, with up to €500,000 available this year.
- Community Grant - SMEs are eligible for grant funding for a range of energy efficiency retrofits and renewable energy systems. SMEs may apply for grant funding for solar photovoltaic systems through SEAI’s Community Grant.
- The EXEED certification programme also incorporates Grants. It encourages businesses to look at projects from the design stage, and consider the most efficient process when commissioning or designing a new project, process or asset.
- Support Scheme for Renewable Heat - SMEs are currently eligible for grant funding for heat pump installations, and will be eligible for a support tariff for biomass heating systems through this scheme in the coming months.
In addition to the grant programmes, SEAI provide other supports including energy management training and mentoring to help SMEs save energy through a structured management system. The SEAI also publish an SME Guide to Energy Efficiency.
Besides cutting energy use and costs and helping these enterprises become greener and more energy efficient these programmes are also helping businesses improve competitiveness and resilience.
Further information on the grants and wider range of supports that are available can be found on the SEAI website at https://www.seai.ie/.
