New SEAI Grants for SME Energy Audits

SEAI has announced new energy audit grants for SMEs. These grants allow SMEs to have their energy use audited. Irish SMEs can avail of a €2,000 SEAI voucher from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to cover an energy audit with an approved supplier from July 2021 .

An energy audit identifies tailored energy-saving opportunities that can save businesses up to 30 percent on their energy bills. Energy saving will also help to reduce their climate impact. The audit will also assess whether renewable energy technologies are a viable option for their business.

Speaking about the new new SEAI support scheme Eamon Ryan, Minister for Environment, Climate Action and Communities said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for all SMEs who really want to save energy, but don’t know where to start. This scheme from SEAI will support high-quality, practical energy audits that will clearly lay out what they should do, and how they should do it. Armed with this information, our SMEs will be able to take action on energy, which will save them money and make a vital contribution to our climate change goals.”

To be eligible for the new SEAI support scheme, SME applicants must: be must be registered in Ireland with the facility to be audited located in Ireland also, spend at least €10,000 per year on energy, have fewer than 250 employees and have an annual turnover of less than €50 million or balance sheet of less than €43 million.

Vouchers will be awarded to SMEs who will use it to pay the SEAI registered auditor, once the audit is complete. Only auditors registered with the SEAI can claim the cost of the voucher from SEAI.

SMEs from all sectors and public bodies are encouraged to apply. SEAI recommends that SMEs contact their nominated auditor in advance, to ensure that the voucher will cover the cost of their audit. Further information on the Support Scheme for Energy Audits can be found here.

SEAI is Ireland’s national energy authority investing in, and delivering, appropriate, effective, and sustainable solutions to help Ireland’s transition to a clean energy future.