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The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment Richard Bruton T.D. today (Friday the 1^st of March) announced that applications to the SEAI Excellence in Energy Efficient Design (EXEED) Scheme are open. A fund of up to €6 million is available for projects delivering best practice in the design, construction and management of buildings for optimum energy efficiency. 

Successful applicants will be currently in the design phase of planning capital projects for new or existing buildings. In order to qualify for a grant, participants must follow the SEAI EXEED standard and embed energy efficiency measures in the design of their projects. The grant is open to public and private organisations who are planning an investment project of any scale or complexity.

Energy savings in excess of 30% are common and in addition to the energy and climate impacts, the SEAI EXEED certification will assist businesses to become more efficient, competitive and resilient.

The government are committed to making Ireland a leader in responding to climate change. Minister Bruton is currently developing an all of government plan, which will have actions across all sectors according to strict timelines. Ensuring our built environment uses energy efficiently is critical to delivering on this ambition.

Making the announcement, Minister Bruton said,

Recognising increased potential and growing appetite for investment in this area we have provided €6m in funding for this programme this year – almost about double the value of the demand in last year’s scheme.  A huge range of bodies ranging from local GAA clubs to Data Centres and from hospitals to agribusiness have made savings of over 30% in their energy costs through the scheme. The certification it yields is a great selling point for climate aware leaders.

CEO of Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland Jim Gannon said,

The SEAI EXEED process identifies opportunities to create additional value while undertaking capital works. Businesses who have followed the SEAI EXEED process have saved over 30% on their baseline energy costs, increasing their competitiveness in the marketplace, reducing their carbon footprint and delivering a strong return on investment. The 70 organisations we have helped thus far have included multinational manufacturers, agribusinesses, hotels, universities and sports clubs. Through SEAI EXEED and our other business programmes, we look forward to working with more businesses who want to show leadership in addressing our climate challenge.

Brian McGill of the Iveagh Garden Hotel said

In designing the hotel, we felt strongly that the property should deliver an exceptional guest experience, while reducing the hotel’s carbon footprint and energy costs for years to come. What has been really exciting for us is the reaction from our key clients actively seeking to work with sustainable travel providers in line with their global green policies. Through the SEAI EXEED process, the energy use of the building has decreased by 80% and the BER has gone from an E1 to an A3 rating.

The SEAI EXEED grant application process is now open. For further information on the scheme and details on how to apply visit click here

Notes to Editor

SEAI EXEED Certified

SEAI EXEED is a government funded scheme administered by Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland. It is an asset certification scheme in which assets (e.g. office building, factory, hotel, hospital) are certified as demonstration of full adherence to the SEAI EXEED Energy Efficient Design Management standard.

Through the process a range of energy performance improvement opportunities are identified. These will involve capital investment however opportunities not requiring capital are also captured. Where additional capital investment is proposed, the SEAI EXEED grant is provided to incentivise these investments.

The grant therefore doesn’t support single retrofit projects, rather full asset energy performance – including all actions, small to large. The energy saving potential is proportionate to the level of ambition, challenge to existing design norms and investment.

What is SEAI EXEED grant support?

• Capital support of up to €500,000 per asset, per year for continued investment
• Relevant to major energy upgrade, major renovation, Brownfield and Greenfield investment
• 30% grant intensity for capital, 50% grant intensity for additional professional services
• Increased support for SMEs, +20% (S) and +10% (M)
• SEAI EXEED Certified Standard achievable through the programme

2018 Successful Projects

About SEAI

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. We work with Government, homeowners, businesses and communities to achieve this, through expertise, funding, educational programmes, policy advice, research and the development of new technologies.

SEAI is funded by the Government of Ireland through the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.