The Government has announced the first batch of successful projects that will receive investment under the Climate Action Fund.
Seven climate change projects will have a share in €77 million, which will, the Government claims, allow them to reduce annual emissions by over 200,000t combined.
This project will be allocated up to €8.5 million of the funding, which will be put towards the installation of the first transmission-connected Central Grid Injection (CGI) renewable gas facility.
Gas Networks Ireland also plans to use the funding to provide a grant scheme for compressed natural gas vehicles.
The seven projects that have been selected are:
- ESB eCars;
- Gas Networks Ireland: GRAZE Gas;
- Irish Rail: Hybrid Drive for Inter City Railcar Fleet;
- Dublin City Council: Dublin District Heating System;
- South Dublin County Council: Tallaght District Heating Scheme;
- Local Authority Public Lighting Energy Efficiency Project;
- Three Counties Energy Agency: Driving HGVs efficiently into Brexit.
The Climate Action Fund, which is part of the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 initiative, will provide over €20 billion in funding for climate action initiatives over the next decade.
Speaking at the announcement of the successful projects, the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said: “Project Ireland 2040 provides for an unprecedented investment of €22 billion in climate action over the next decade; the largest single package within the plan.
“The transition to a low-carbon world will require profound changes in how we live our lives, and will only be possible with the buy-in of communities and individuals,” he added.