Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2023
176. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will adjust the excellence in energy efficient design grant scheme guidelines 2023 to enable SMEs with assets with annual final energy consumption of at least 50,000 kWh to apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24347/23]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland support schemes are under regular review to ensure their effectiveness. The Excellence in Energy Efficient Design (EXEED) programme was relaunched in March 2023 to provide projects with increased support to a maximum of €3 million and an improved application process. The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) relaunched in March 2023 will provide for an increase in the support for heat pump installations of up to 40% of costs, subject to state aid approval, and inter alia provides for additional upgrade measures in buildings to facilitate the installation of heat pumps.
The EXEED programme supports high impact investments, where an energy efficient design (EED) process is followed to design out energy consumption and develop high performance projects. The EED process is of most value to larger energy users, as demonstrated by the case studies of EXEED projects that have been delivered. The current threshold of 100,000kWh final energy consumption for EXEED is relatively low in this regard. A new scheme for non-domestic retrofit is in development, aimed at SMEs, which will provide support for a range of measures. The scheme is due to be launched in the coming months.
My Department, through schemes administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, provides various supports to enterprises, which can assist these sectors in increasing their energy efficiency and lowering their carbon emissions. A summary of the existing support schemes administered by SEAI is set out below. There has been a high uptake, in particular, of the community energy grants and the support scheme for energy audits by SMEs.
|
SEAI Scheme |
Description |
|
Community Energy Grant |
Grant support for cross-sectoral projects including homes, businesses and other non-domestic applicants. Typically around 60% of funding is for non-domestic |
|
Support Scheme for Energy Audits (SSEA) |
Supports SMEs (€2,000 voucher) to carry out professional energy audits and thus encourages implementation of energy saving measures identified. |
|
Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN) |
SEAI assists the companies on energy improvements. Best practice guidance is shared among LIEN members on how to manage energy performance. |
|
Excellence in Energy Efficiency Design (EXEED) |
A certified program for a systematic energy efficient approach to design, construction, and commissioning new investments and upgrades at the earliest stages of the business lifecycle. |
|
Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) |
A grant (of up to 30%*) to support investment in renewable heating systems using heat pumps. An operational support tariff over 15 years for new installations or installations that currently use a fossil fuel heating system and convert to using biomass or anaerobic digestion heating systems. |
|
Non-Domestic Microgen Scheme |
Provides financial assistance to help businesses and other sectors to install solar PV panels to generate electricity on site. Grants are available for systems up to a maximum of €2,400 for installations of up to 6kWp. |
|
Energy Academy |
Online resource -access to high quality energy training |
|
Energy Contracting Support Scheme |
Energy Contracting Support Scheme provides supports and expertise across the business and public sectors to deliver energy efficiency through Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs), Local Energy Supply Contracts (LESCs) and Energy Performance Guarantees (EPGs). |
*subject to State aid approval
There are a broader range of enterprise supports available that assist businesses with energy and climate initiatives, with funding from a variety of sources (not just SEAI). Further information on the broader supports can be found on the “Climate Toolkit for Business” website: www.climatetoolkit4business.gov.ie/next-steps-and-further-information/.
