Calleary welcomes €50 million retrofit scheme for SMEs

 

 

Minister of State Dara Calleary has welcomed a new €50 million retrofit scheme aimed at helping small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) address energy costs.

 

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, has launched the Business Energy Upgrades Scheme (BEUS) to support SMEs carry out energy efficient upgrades.

 

The scheme, funded from the Climate Action Fund, offers up to €120,000 for a range of common building upgrade measures including pumps, solar thermal, automatic controls, heat pumps, ventilation and wall insulation.

 

The grant is open to all businesses and small public bodies who are upgrading a building they own or occupy.

 

Minister Calleary said: "I'm delighted that Minister Ryan has launched this very important retrofitting scheme for SMEs. This was announced in Budget 2023. We have been waiting for it to be approved by the Department of Environment. I'm glad it has been signed by Minister Ryan ahead of the general election.

 

"The scheme will help SMEs save costs. We know how difficult it is for small businesses across this country due to high energy prices. This retrofitting grant will give substantial support to SMEs to address these costs and reduce the emissions in their buildings too."

 

"The initiative will be administered by the SEAI. Applications are open today. SEAI has already suuported thoustands of businesess with grants in recent years. This new scheme, the Busienss Energy Upgrades Scheme, will have a fast and seamless application process. A decision and a grant offer can be generated within minutes."

 

Minister Calleary added that Fianna Fáil is committed to introducing measures to assist SMEs and will continue to scale-up of retrofit activity over the coming years.

 

For further information on the Business Energy Upgrade Scheme, please visit the SEAI: https://www.seai.ie/grants/business-grants/rapid-approval.