Applications now open for SEAI Community Energy Grant Scheme 2019
17,500 homes and 2,000 non domestic buildings upgraded to date
The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton T.D., today (Monday the 26th of November) launched the SEAI Community Energy Grant Scheme for 2019. Applications are now open and up to €25 million of Government funds are available towards projects that deliver energy savings to communities, including public buildings, homes and businesses.
Minister Bruton is currently developing an all of government plan to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change. Helping homes and businesses to upgrade to more energy efficient premises is crucial to achieving our goals. The SEAI Community Energy Grant Scheme supports partnerships between communities, businesses and the public sector to deliver energy improvements in buildings across the country. The launch took place at St Luke’s Court, Coolock where Dublin City Council completed a major heating upgrade, just one element of a larger €2.3 million project with partners Dublin City University and Retrofit Energy Ireland Ltd.
To date €125 million in community grants has underpinned over €300 million investment in upgrades to 17,500 homes, 2000 non domestic buildings. The annual energy savings are estimated in excess of €50 million.
Opening the application process, Minister Bruton said, “The decisions we make now will define the next century. I am currently developing an all of government plan to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change, not a follower. We are investing up to €25 million in these grants, to help homes and businesses right across the country upgrade to more energy efficient premises. I would urge all communities, big and small, interested in being more sustainable in their energy use, to explore the fantastic opportunities presented by this fund.”
Minister of State, Sean Canney said, “I welcome this €25 million funding which will benefit thousands of homes and businesses in our communities right across the country. The initiative which is open to both large and small projects alike, will assist in the rejuvenation of rural and urban areas. This initiative is a great example of our government incentivizing homeowners and businesses to develop ways to save energy on a daily basis.”
The grant scheme will be administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Speaking at the launch, Mr Jim Gannon, CEO of SEAI said “SEAI’s community activities are designed to help people to become more informed, enabled and in control of their own low carbon future. Our community energy network has more than 230 member communities across the country. We help them to create their own plan for a low carbon future for their community, and provide support for the capital projects within this plan. This most recent tranche of Government of Ireland funding supports those communities who have identified the priority projects to help them save money and play their part in tackling climate change.”
Open to both large and small projects alike, this year’s application process will be non-competitive with applications approved on a first come first served basis. Applications must include a strong partnership approach. Collaborations between public and private sectors, residential and non-residential sectors, commercial and not-for-profit organisations, financing entities and energy suppliers, are of particular interest.
Full details of the scheme, including how to apply are available at www.seai.ie
