Homes, businesses, and more in Galway will share in over €7.5 million sustainability grants for upgrading buildings’ energy ratings.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has awarded €25 million to fund 57 projects that will promote sustainability by reducing emissions from buildings.
The 17 projects that include homes and businesses in Galway have been awarded a total of €7,631,760 in grant funding.
The largest of these is a €973,361 for a project spanning 14 counties which has a total value of €2,267,898.
While the smallest project in the scheme is a €24,604 grant for a heat pump, solar panels,and new doors and windows at Cómhar Caomhán Teo on Inis Oírr.
It’s expected that in total this scheme will help 700 homes carry out energy upgrades, along with 570 community and commercial buildings.
The SEAI claims that the cumulative benefits of these upgrades will eliminate 34,676 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, the equivalent of taking 11,000 cars off the road.
Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton said that we need to “scale up our ambition” when it comes to reducing emissions from buildings.
“Upgrading our homes and businesses with improved insulation and energy efficiency measures can greatly reduce our impact on our environment,” Minister Bruton said.
“These grants will support communities to drive projects which will deliver significant upgrades to groups of homes and businesses in their local area.”
“Not only will these upgrades help us deliver on our climate commitments, but they will result in cleaner, healthier, warmer homes and businesses and cheaper energy bills.”
Jim Gannon, CEO of the SEAI said that communities have a central role to play in achieving climate action ambitions.
“SEAI is working with hundreds of energy communities across the country, providing them with the knowledge and the means to both plan their own low carbon pathway and to deliver on their ambitions.”
He added that government grants are a crucial support for communities ready to invest in energy efficient and renewable energy for their needs.
“The collective achievements of these communities can be replicated, drawing more and more citizens into Ireland’s clean energy transition.”
