ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • 65 Rittal Industry News • increasing support for highimpact energy ef ciency and renewable energy projects to a maximum of €3 million, from the current level of €1 million; • introducing simpli ed evaluation and improved grant economic thresholds, and increased bene t for projects involving the electri cation of heat/decarbonisation; • an improved and enhanced application process, and speedier approvals. The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) has, to date, provided 15-year biomass support tariffs to 90 installations, with 30 installations commissioned and already receiving regular payments. This equates to a total committed support of €35 million over 15 years and 90GWh of renewable heat annually. In addition, the SSRH has provided grant support of more than €500,000 to heat pump projects. Projects already supported include agriculture, industry, hotels, nursing homes, leisure centres, and buildings in both the private and public sectors. Detailed case studies of some existing projects can be accessed at seai.ie. The Excellence in Energy Ef cient Design scheme has to date provided support to over 200 companies – equating to a total committed support of €15.6 million. The EXEED projects to date, either completed or currently being implemented, represent 190GWh in primary energy savings, 34.7 ktCO2 savings and €8.5 million in annual cost savings. The programme has engaged with a variety of sectors including pharmaceuticals, food and drink, retail, hospitality, agriculture, mining/quarrying and manufacturing. Detailed case studies of some existing projects can be accessed at seai.ie. The Iveagh Garden Hotel was designed and upgraded as one of the lowest carbon-footprint hotels in Europe. Utilising the SEAI EXEED process, the energy performance of the hotel was interlinked with consumption to take renewable energy and low carbon design to a whole new level. Ground water beneath the hotel was utilised to capture renewable heat, along with signi cant advanced heat recovery from the kitchen and other sustainable technologies. Through the SEAI EXEED process, the energy use of the building has decreased by 78%, its carbon footprint has reduced by 82%, and the Building Energy Rating has gone from an E1 to an A3. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, said: “In line with the targets and ambitions of Climate Action Plan 2023, we will offer enhanced and targeted supports for businesses who wish to rapidly decarbonise their buildings and processes. These changes ensure that higher levels of support are available for the deployment of heat pumps, biomass, biomethane, and energy efficiency projects to a wider range of businesses. The changes I am announcing today to the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat and the EXEED Scheme will better align them with market needs, and will make larger and more impactful investments by businesses of all types possible. Businesses can show leadership, and insulate themselves from energy price increases by investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy measures at their premises.” William Walsh, CEO of SEAI, said: “Our business community, like all sectors of society, has suffered from recent energy price increases. In the long term, businesses who adopt strong sustainability practices can protect themselves from volatile fossil fuel prices while improving their competitiveness and brand. SEAI has supported thousands of businesses on their sustainability journey to date, providing support of over €50 million to 2,500 businesses in 2022 alone. Aligned with our ongoing commitment to enhance and grow our supports and in response to our stakeholder needs, the changes announced today allow us to provide support where it is needed and is most impactful. I strongly urge all businesses to begin their sustainability journey today, for the good of their business, Ireland, and the planet.” To find out more about the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat and EXEED schemes, please visit the website address below: https://www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/renewable-heating/ https://www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/business-grants-and-supports/exeed-certified-grant/
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