New SEI grants for public and private sector retrofit

A new Sustainable Energy Ireland grant scheme will offer financial support to public and private sector organisations for energy upgrades and retrofits. The Supports for Example Energy Efficiency Projects (SEEEP) scheme will grant-aid upgrades of building fabric, lighting, ventilation systems and heating controls. Measures such as boiler replacement and renewable energy systems are not eligible, though SEI are open to suggestions for other potential measures.

According to SEI, the programme is specficially designed to support "labour intensive" measures that will create jobs as well as reduce energy demand and carbon emissions. Under the scheme, public sector companies are eligible for support of 50 per cent of the cost of work, though 100 per cent of funding may be available in some cases, particularly for public sector bodies engaged in non-commercial activities. Grant support of up to 35 per cent of project costs is available for private companies. Work must be scheduled for completion by October 30 to be eligible, and funding is only available for a small number of projects. For further information, see the SEEEP section on the SEI website.