Minister announces €2m fund for SME energy-efficient lighting
A new grant announced by the minister for communications, climate action and environment will partially cover costs for businesses to upgrade their lighting systems. According to the Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland, energy-efficient lighting can help reduce costs by up to 60%.
Print9 April 2019
The minister for communications, climate action and environment, Richard Bruton, has annouced a €2m fund to assist small and medium-sized businesses to invest in energy-efficient lighting for their premises. The grant, administered by the Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland, is open to businesses in all sectors, and will cover 30% of the cost of upgrade work. Research suggests that energy-efficient lighting can help save up to 60% of lighting costs in the long term.
The grant is open to all small and medium-sized businesses including retailers, the hospitality and tourism sector, private health and education facilities, and manufacturers. Collectively, SMEs spend over €2 billion annually on energy.
“Decarbonisation can be a challenge for business,” said deputy Bruton on the topic. “Adapting to the changes that are needed is now crucial for businesses to secure their competitiveness and prosperity in the long-term. Lighting is a great place to start.”
Jim Gannon, CEO of the SEAI, pointed that lighting can be one of the highest costs for a business, second only to staffing. “Improving the energy efficients of lighting helps businesses to cut costs, free up resources and make them more resilient and competitive,” he said. “Over 200 businesses have already benefitted from support through SEAI’s lighting grant, generating savings of €2.7m.”
The SEAI Lighting Support Scheme is open until Monday, 20 May. Applicants must be businesses with less than 250 employees and annual turnover of less than €50m.
To learn more about the scheme, including the application process, visit www.seai.ie/aca. Early application is strongly advised; in the event of all funds being allocated prior to this date, the scheme will automatically close.
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