64 ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) have expanded grants and tariff supports to help more businesses to invest in energy efficiency and renewable heating, as part of changes to SEAI’s business supports. These enhanced supports were launched in the Iveagh Garden Hotel, which has invested in a renewable heating solution in recent years, helping to make it one of the lowest carbon-footprint hotels in Europe. The energy use of the hotel building has decreased by a massive 78% and its carbon footprint has reduced by 82%. Businesses and public bodies can avail of up to €3 million of grant support and up to €3.5 million of tariff support for a range of high-impact measures to urgently reduce fossil fuel use in commercial buildings and industry. SEAI will immediately implement a broad suite of changes in the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) to increase support levels, target larger energy users, and ensure that appropriate support is available for deployment in buildings and industry. The following scheme changes are being implemented, some of which are subject to nal State aid approval: Expanded supports for businesses to invest in energy efficiency and renewable heating ‒Minister Ryan announces wide-ranging updates to SEAI Renewable Heat and EXEED Schemes. • increasing the support for heat pump installations to a maximum of 40% of costs, from the current level of 30%; • maintaining the maximum support for biomass applications at €3.5 million over 15 years; • expanding the scheme to the Emissions Trading Scheme sector, comprising of large industry and large fossil fuel users, subject to State aid approval; • including support for heat pumps utilising waste heat sources, high temperature applications, and opening support to the wider application of heat pumps in buildings and district heating schemes; • support for additional upgrade measures in buildings to facilitate the installation of heat pumps. The Excellence in Energy Efficient Design (EXEED) scheme will immediately increase maximum grant funding available and change evaluation thresholds to ensure appropriate targeting of grant funding. The following scheme changes are being implemented: Industry News • The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) and the Excellence in Energy Efficient Design (EXEED) have, to date, provided support of over €50 million to 300 businesses across multiple sectors. • Increased supports are now available for energy efficiency, heat pump and biomass installations – to support business to improve efficiency and switch from fossil fuels. • Capital grant support, of up to €3 million or biomass tariff of up to €3.5 million over 15 years, is now available – for renewable heat and energy efficiency projects in buildings and industry. William Walsh, CEO, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD at the Iveagh Garden Hotel.
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