NEWS
NEW GRANT SCHEMES OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPLIERS AND INSTALLERS...
Low-cost Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme launches in RoI A new €500m scheme offering low-cost loans for energy efficiency upgrades in domestic homes has been launched in the Republic of Ireland. Homeowners can borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 at significantly lower interest rates to make their homes warmer and cheaper to run. The Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme is said to be the first of its kind for both Ireland and the European Investment Bank, which is supporting it alongside the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). It will be delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. Upgrade projects musts be supported by an SEAI grant and projected to achieve a minimum 20% improvement in the energy performance of the building. Those most at risk of energy poverty can continue to avail of fully-funded energy upgrades under the Warmer Homes Scheme, while the new low-cost loans will also make it easier for those above the eligibility threshold to upgrade their homes. Speaking at a launch event for the new scheme, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan said, “This innovative scheme shows how the Government, financial institutions and the retrofit sector are working together to deliver climate action that works for people and planet. “Over 48,000 home energy upgrades were supported through SEAI schemes last year - up a massive 76% on 2022 and exceeding the target by 30%. The new low-cost loans will help us to go even further in our retrofit delivery this year and in the years ahead.” www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/home-energy- upgrade-loan/
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Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme extended to 2027 A grant scheme for businesses and low-income households installing energy-saving measures such as air-source heat pumps and upgraded central heating boilers has been extended. The Utility Regulator has announced the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) will be extended from April 2025 to March 2027. Administered by the Energy Saving Trust, the scheme was created in 2010 and is supported by an £8m funding pool collected from domestic and business electricity customers in NI. Scheme managers can bid into NISEP to deliver energy efficiency schemes each year. Most of the funding is allocated to schemes that don’t require any payment by the homeowner, including single measure projects and whole-house schemes with funding for upgrading heating systems as well as insulation. Remaining funds are allocated to domestic, commercial and renewable schemes, some of which are fully funded by NISEP while others may require a financial contribution from the applicant. An innovation category encourages scheme managers to include the installation of innovative and renewable technologies, including air-source heat pump installations available in this year’s grant round as part of a heating upgrade for households outside the gas network. In addition to the installation, air-source heat pumps fitted in 2024/25 will be monitored by technology that provides information on the heat pump’s performance, efficiencies and running costs. NISEP has supported at least 15,000 energy efficiency measures, benefiting over 3,500 properties, a year since its inception. In 2024/25, 22 schemes are being delivered by 10 scheme managers. www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/energy-grants-northern-ireland/
Environment Minister Eamon Ryan (pictured) launched the scheme alongside Finance Minister Michael McGrath and Minister of State Neale Richmond.
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