Some 22 businesses and farms applied to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in the first two weeks following the opening of biomass and biogas heating tariffs under the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) earlier this month.

This is only the first stage of the application process and each applicant has yet to prove that the scheme will support useful heat generation from sustainable renewable fuels, through an assessment similar to planning permission.

While there is no deadline for applications, the SEAI’s Ray Langton told a meeting of the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) that “this scheme is not going to remain open forever”. Once heat uses totalling 1,300GWh of energy over the 15-year duration of payments are approved, the Government will close it.

His colleague Denis Neary presented the online application system for the scheme, insisting on energy efficiency criteria – you won’t be allowed to use more energy than necessary just because it’s renewable. For example, he explained that a poultry farmer would have to show calculations proving that buildings achieve the industry standard of 1.227kWh/bird. “You don’t have to go by bird,” he added. “You can report in kWh/sq m or per kg of meat produced. If you have another benchmark, we will consider it.”

Officials also clarified that there won’t be so-called grandfathering to allow users of existing heating systems to claim payments

Langton said that eligible systems would also need to be covered by a five-year warranty. This raised concerns among energy professionals in the room who said no manufacturer offered this on all components.

Officials also clarified that there won’t be so-called grandfathering to allow users of existing heating systems to claim payments. New or expanding businesses are eligible even if they cannot show figures for the gains achieved by converting to renewable heating – they can use industry comparisons using fossil fuels.

Noel Gavigan of IrBEA announced the creation of a new biomass designers and installers register, listing qualified contractors who followed a dedicated training course. The next course for professionals interested in appearing on the register will take place on 9 and 10 July – visit www.irbea.org.

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