SSE Airtricity has teamed up with An Post which will see 30,000 homes benefit from energy efficient retrofits in the coming years.

Minister for Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport, Eamon Ryan TD welcomed the new partnership.

The Generation Green Home Energy Upgrade forms a key part of An Post's Green Hub which provides a simple solution for home energy upgrades all under one roof. Consumers get access to a free home assessment, affordable finance and an end to end project management service that takes the hassle out of home energy upgrades.

The new partnership streamlines the entire process of home retrofitting and makes it easily accessible online or via Post Offices across the Republic of Ireland. SSE Airtricity will manage each project from end-to-end for the customer, with market leading finance available through Green Loans from An Post Money and a streamlined SEAI grant application system.

Speaking at the newly refurbished St Andrew Street Post office, Minister Ryan said: "I welcome the contribution that An Post's Green Hub will make to the government’s ambitions for decarbonising Irish homes, with Government targets to upgrade at least 500,000 homes to a B2 energy rating by 2030. As part of the Jobs Stimulus Package announced by the Government in July, €100m has been committed to support retrofit activity in 2021 through SEAI grants, creating an additional 3,200 direct and indirect quality, sustainable jobs in local communities throughout the country. This Green Hub is hugely welcome in that it will help make it easier for customers to access the services and grants, make their homes warmer and more energy-efficient, reduce carbon emissions, and help deliver this crucial economic stimulus. We want to make Ireland a leader in retrofitting by developing innovative ways in which to roll out upgrades, lowering the cost, and improving efficiency."

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Klair Neenan, Managing Director of SSE Airtricity commented: "SSE Airtricity is delighted to partner with An Post to launch The Generation Green Home Upgrade Programme, a 'one stop shop' for home energy retrofits, as we both look to help Ireland transition to a more sustainable future.

"As a company, we are proud of our green heritage and this new product, which aims to support up to 30,000 homeowners to upgrade their homes, is a first of its kind in Ireland. Once delivered, this will equate to approx. €20m in reduced energy costs every year for Irish households.

"We are investing significantly in this programme which will include the direct creation of up to 40 new skilled jobs including project managers, surveyors, and administrators. In addition, the work generated by SSE Airtricity through this programme will indirectly support and generate up to 150 additional jobs across our contracting partners and suppliers."

Debbie Byrne, Managing Director, An Post Retail Sustainability is at the heart of the An Post group strategy, delivering sustainable long-term business growth and services, but also protecting our planet and looking after our communities.

She said: "We have big ambitions to scale the Green Hub to become the ‘go to location’ for sustainable, greener living in Ireland, partnering with leading providers in this field. We aim to be central in supporting the government and central to the national push to retro-fit up to 500,000 houses by simplifying what is a complex process. Helping householders’ to make environmentally responsible decisions when investing in their homes or moving to an Electric Vehicle.

"Our customer-friendly 'Green Hub' is our way of supporting this essential plan for Ireland.

"Access to affordable finance is another barrier consumers cite in making the decision to up-grade their homes. Our An Post Money new green loan has a market leading headline rate of 4.9% on loans over €20,00 and payments can be spread over up to 10 years building on the ever expanding range of Community Banking Services offered through local post offices and online Our focus is on maintaining our growth in financial services and presenting innovative and reliable solutions to meet every day needs."