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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) this week opened applications for heat pump grants to farmers and other commercial users.
The grants are part of the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH), the first form of Government assistance available to professional users of renewable energy.
Farmers and businesses installing air, water or ground source heat pumps can claim up to 30% in capital grants towards the cost of the installation. This will be most relevant to farms using space heating, such as pig and poultry units.
Energy efficiency
Eligibility criteria include verification of the energy efficiency of the buildings to be heated and use of approved equipment and contractors. Pre-approval of the project by the SEAI is required before works begin.
The SSRH will also offer ongoing operational support under 15-year contracts for biomass and biogas-powered heat sources, which is expected to boost demand for energy crops and wood-based fuels.
"It is my intention that this will take place later this year, subject to state aid approval," Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment Denis Naughten said in a statement.
The latest update from the SEAI is that applications for biomass and biogas payments will open "in late 2018/early 2019 subject to state aid approval".
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