Background information

A new energy upgrade scheme – the Business Energy Upgrade Scheme – has been launched to assist SMEs to improve energy efficiency and save costs. The Scheme is specifically targeted at small businesses such as hotels, retail, offices, and hospitality in order to address energy costs and reduce emissions in their buildings. The Scheme provides grants of up to €120,000 in grant funding for a range of measures, including solar PV, insulation, heat pumps and BMS controls & upgrades. It is part of the supports to help Ireland reach its commercial built environment emission targets.

Content of measure

The scheme is funded from the Climate Action Fund. It offers up to €120,000 for a range of building upgrade measures including pumps, solar thermal, automatic controls, heat pumps, ventilation and wall insulation. In addition, support is offered to enhance existing building management systems and for retrofit design activities. The scheme is open to all businesses and small public bodies who are upgrading a building they own or occupy. The scheme has been designed in particular to support SMEs and businesses renting premises. Launching the Scheme, then Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan said: "We have listened to businesses and we know that they want to retrofit their buildings but they want to do so as fast and as simply as possible. This scheme delivers just this. It is targeted, simple and straight forward. It is designed with small businesses in mind in particular, and especially businesses who are renting premises. It is a vital step in helping us decarbonise as a country, and it does this while also helping hard pressed businesses right across the country to reduce their energy costs and make their work places warmer and healthier."

Use of measure

N/A

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	SMEs	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Other social actors (e.g. NGOs)	European Funds National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

N/A

Views and reactions

N/A

Sources

• 07 November 2024: Minister Ryan opens €50 million retrofit scheme for SMEs (www.gov.ie)
• 14 November 2024: New €50m Business Energy Upgrade Grant Scheme offers support of up to €120,000