The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland is welcoming business applications for the new government funded Smart Lighting Grants.

The grants, worth a total of €3 million, will cover a third of the lighting upgrades and help SMEs to save up 90% on lighting costs.

Applications can be submitted by individual businesses or by co-ordinators who group applications and are in a position to apply and deliver lighting upgrades for a number of businesses.

Jim Gannon, CEO of SEAI said: "Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in the Irish economy, providing over 90% of national employment. Lighting is the second highest cost for many businesses after staff costs. In 2017, over 60 facilities benefitted from support through SEAI's smart lighting grant, achieving savings of over half a million euro. We are inviting SMEs, their advisors and suppliers in the lighting supply chain to get in touch with our team and find out how we can help you embed long term savings, and increase the sustainability of your business."

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60 SMEs have already seen the benefits to upgrading to energy efficient, smarter lighting systems. Fran Egan, CEO of Hales Freight, carried out lighting upgrades in 2017 with the support of the SEAI Smart Lighting Grant.

Speaking about the improvements, he said: "We are a Dublin-based freight business that collects, ships and delivers goods, employing 60 people in Ireland and the UK. We replaced over 100 of our old inefficient lights with new highly efficient LED lights in our Dublin warehouse. Our warehouse is now much brighter, which is great for staff and is a safer work environment. Even better again, we are using less energy and have seen significantly reduced electricity bills. This has reduced our operating costs and we are more sustainable in our operations. We received a significant grant and found the process of submitting an application through a co-ordinator really smooth."

(CM)