Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 July 2025
165. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the incentives or support schemes that exist for the installation of renewable energy solutions for example, solar panels and energy-efficient designs in innovation hubs such as the Killarney Innovation Centre; and the way in which other regional hubs benefit from these initiatives. [40911/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides support to businesses and public bodies seeking to retrofit buildings to improve energy efficiency through a number of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes including:
• the Business Energy Upgrades Scheme which provides substantial support to the SME sector to address energy costs and reduce emissions in their buildings;
• for larger energy users in the public sector, the Public Sector Pathfinder Programme, administered by the SEAI provides up to 50% funding for retrofit projects; and
• the amended Non-Domestic Microgen Grant Scheme, which has proved an overwhelming success, and has now been extended for 2025 with the same level of grant support for installations of up to 1 MW.
Further information on the broader supports can be found on the Government website “Climate Toolkit for Business” www.climatetoolkit4business.gov.ie/next-steps-and-further-information/.
In addition, the following schemes support applicants to install renewable energy projects:
• the Micro-generation Support Scheme provides grant support to domestic and non-domestic applicants for renewable installations;
• the second phase of the Small-scale Renewable Electricity Generation Support Scheme (SRESS) targets community, SME and farm export projects in the range 50kW to 6MW. This phase is available for innovation hubs wishing to export electricity to the grid for revenue, rather than producing it for self-consumption. The SRESS application form, together with the terms and conditions and a non-technical summary, are available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/sress.
All these schemes support and enable organisations, including regional hubs, to take charge of their sustainability journey and benefit from increased energy efficiency, more sustainable operations and lower carbon emissions.
My Department also funds the Atlantic Seaboard South Climate Action Regional Office which coordinates and supports climate action undertaken by the five Local Authorities of Clare, Limerick, Kerry, and Cork City and County.
