A new set of enhanced renewable energy and retrofit grants announced on September 29 aims to cut energy bills for households, farms and businesses by increasing support for solar, heat pumps and boiler scrappage under SEAI schemes.
Enhanced SEAI business grants raise support levels to 45% of eligible costs for solar PV, heat pumps and solar thermal, with estimated average annual savings listed for typical installations.
Household measures start October 6 and include solar PV and batteries as standard in the Warmer Homes Scheme and a €2,000 fossil fuel boiler scrappage grant available immediately.
Micro-Renewable Energy Federation (MREF) and industry groups welcome the package as helping farms and businesses reduce fossil fuel dependence and lower energy overheads.
September 29 that targets households, businesses and farms. The measures are delivered through enhancements to Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes following work by the National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT).
What the package covers for businesses and farms
Business-focused measures increase grant support to 45% of eligible costs across several SEAI schemes. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment sets out estimated average savings for typical installations:
Government rationale and next steps
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke said the enhanced supports will help businesses reduce overheads and improve competitiveness by making investments in solar power, heat pumps and other energy-saving technologies more affordable.
Pat Smith of Local Power Ltd. commented that the raised grant limits would help address a "major vacuum" created by recent restrictions in the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3).
The government said it will consider further measures as part of Budget 2027. An Energy Affordability Action Plan is due next month and is intended to provide a roadmap for improving affordability for households and businesses.
Implications for farmers and rural businesses
Farmers and rural enterprises that rely on diesel, oil or other fossil fuels can use the enhanced grants to invest in on-site renewable generation, heat pumps, or solar thermal systems that reduce operating fuel bills. The combination of higher grant rates and household-level supports for solar-plus-battery under the Warmer Homes Scheme is likely to broaden the pool of agricultural businesses and households that can afford such investments.
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