Businesses in Ireland are set to benefit from a new initiative aimed at boosting energy efficiency and reducing emissions, with the official launch of the Business Energy Upgrades Scheme.

Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O'Brien unveiled the scheme at Roganstown Hotel and Country Club, highlighting its potential to support sustainable growth within the SME sector.

The Business Energy Upgrades Scheme complements existing supports such as the Support Scheme for Energy Audits (SSEA) and the Non-Domestic Microgeneration Grant. It significantly expands the availability of Rapid Approval Grants, specifically targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises, enabling them to undertake a wider range of energy and emission-saving investments more easily.

The scheme provides financial assistance for a comprehensive energy audit and various common building upgrade measures. These include the installation of efficient pumps, solar thermal systems, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, automatic controls, heat pumps, air handling units, and building fabric improvements. Furthermore, the scheme offers support for optimising existing building management systems and for undertaking retrofit design activities.

It is open to all businesses and public bodies that are upgrading buildings they own or occupy. The adoption of these measures in commercial buildings is expected to lead to reduced operational energy costs, enhanced comfort for occupants, and an improved company brand image. Importantly, these upgrades will also contribute to the Republic of Ireland’s efforts to meet its ambitious Climate Action Plan targets.

For larger-scale investments and projects involving biomass heating, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) also offers grant funding through a range of Tailored Support Grants, including the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat and the EXEED Grant Scheme.

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Minister O'Brien visited Roganstown Hotel and Country Club, a business recognised for its commitment to sustainability, to showcase the impactful energy-saving measures they have implemented. The hotel has invested in a sustainable biomass heating system and a rooftop solar PV array, resulting in annual savings of over €100,000 in energy costs and a significant reduction in their carbon emissions. Roganstown Hotel benefited from a substantial grant for their solar PV system and 15 years of biomass support tariffs, administered by SEAI, making these investments financially viable. They also have further energy efficiency projects underway, supported by the new Rapid Approval grants. In addition to these building-related measures, the hotel has planted 65,000 trees over the past two decades and utilises electric robotic lawnmowers, reducing their diesel consumption.

Minister O'Brien commented: "My department, in collaboration with SEAI, has significantly enhanced business supports by introducing a range of Rapid Approval grants that can be approved instantly. This enables businesses to quickly and efficiently access Government support, driving impactful investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Sustainability is not just good for the environment – it also makes strong business sense, as demonstrated by Roganstown Hotel. I commend them for their leadership in managing energy costs and reducing emissions."

Minister of State with responsibility for Small Business, Retail and Circular Economy Alan Dillon added: "Every day I see and hear the value of schemes such as this both to businesses and the environment directly from businesses themselves. The fact that these grants can now be accessed so quickly can only be a huge positive and I look forward to seeing more businesses coming on board in the very near future."

Ian McGuinness, CEO of Roganstown Hotel and Country Club, shared his positive experience: "We are committed to sustainability at Roganstown and the investments we have made are benefitting us enormously. Thanks to the SEAI our sustainable biomass boiler has paid for itself already after three years, and our solar panels will pay for themselves in five years. We have further work ongoing supported by the new Business Energy Upgrades Scheme. There’s some work involved in identifying the best investments for your business, but the benefits are significant. Many of these investments are no-brainers for hotels like us and we’d strongly recommend engaging and starting the process for other businesses."

William Walsh, CEO of SEAI, stated: "My business supports team have been laser focussed on developing supports that SMEs can access quickly and hassle free. SEAI’s Rapid Approval grants give instant approval for a range of energy upgrades that will save businesses money, and save on emissions. We have helped thousands of businesses take these easy wins in recent years, including Roganstown Hotel and Country Club, and I would strongly encourage others to do so and capture the benefits for their business. Sustainability is good for business, and SEAI are here to help every step of the way."