Council seeking energy funding

COMMUNITIES Energy (Previously Better Energy Communities) is a national energy efficiency programme whereby funding is available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for energy saving initiatives. Beneficiaries are eligible for an SEAI grant of up to 50% and can also recover a small amount of expenditure from energy credits for the works.

Eligible works measures supported by the grant are: Building Fabric Upgrades: This includes wall insulation as well as energy-smart walls and doors. In the case of insulation work on homes, only an overall insulation retrofit will be supported, not a partial retrofit.

Technology & System Upgrades: Technological improvements, such as a boiler replacement and/ or controls upgrade and lighting upgrades which boosts energy efficiency significantly. Smart public lights have also attracted grant funding in the past.

Renewable Energy Sources: Renewable energy solutions like biomass and photovoltaic systems are eligible for grant assistance where included as part of a broader retrofit.

Funding for energy upgrades are only eligible to homes constructed prior to 2006. Please note that all homes require a pre- and post-works BER cert.

Any person or organisation or business that pays energy costs can participate in this – this offers an opportunity to reduce that payment annually.

In January, Louth County Council proposes to submit a grant application for community funding from the SEAI for energy saving works.

If you know of a person or organisation who might have an energy project and if they are interested in seeking grant funding please contact Louth County Council’s Energy Section, (042) 9334549 or email ‘fergus. fox@louthcoco.ie’ or ‘padraig. ohora@louthcoco.ie’, for further information.

https://www.seai.ie/grants/ community-grants/