New energy grants can ‘go a long way’ in helping farmers cut fuel costs
A new range of energy grants announced today (September 29) has been welcomed by the Micro-Renewable Energy Federation (MREF) as positive for farmers.
The package of enhanced renewable energy and retrofit grants is aimed at helping households and businesses reduce energy costs, lower dependence on fossil fuels, and strengthen Ireland’s energy security.
It includes a range of improvements to Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes, developed through the work of the National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT).
Measures
According to the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, businesses availing of enhanced solar PV supports could reduce annual energy costs by up to €300,000 per annum, with “significant energy savings also possible with enhanced solar thermal and heat pump grants”.
The business-related SEAI measures are as follows:
| Measure | Proposed grant rate | Estimated savings (for an average installation) |
| Temporary increase in the Non-Domestic Microgeneration Grant Scheme | 45% of eligible costs | Approximately €12,000 per annum for approximately 1,250 businesses. |
| Increased grant aid for heat pumps under the Business Energy Upgrades Scheme | 45% of eligible costs | Approximately €3,500 |
| Increased grant aid for solar thermal installation under the Business Energy Upgrades Scheme | 45% of eligible costs | Approximately €3,500 |
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien said: “Many households and businesses continue to face real pressure from high energy costs.
“Recent developments in international energy markets have once again highlighted the importance of reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels and strengthening our energy security.
“The government has already introduced more than €1.4 billion in energy affordability measures since March.”
Minister O'Brien added that the measures will make it “easier and more affordable” for households and businesses to reduce their energy bills through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and cleaner heating technologies.
The package will also “substantially" boost support for solar installations for businesses, the minister said.
“Further measures will be considered as part of Budget 2027, while the forthcoming Energy Affordability Action Plan, to be published next month, will set out a roadmap for improving energy affordability for households and businesses,” he added.
'Enhanced supports'
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke said: “Businesses across Ireland are facing significant challenges from high energy costs, and we know that improving competitiveness means helping firms reduce their overheads wherever possible.
“These enhanced supports will make it more affordable for businesses to invest in solar power, heat pumps and other energy-saving technologies that can deliver lasting reductions in energy bills.”
Other key measures under the new package for households, effective from October 6, 2026, include:
- Solar PV and battery offered as standard under fully funded Warmer Homes Scheme;
- More favourable eligibility criteria for solar PV and solar thermal;
- Fossil fuel boiler scrappage support of €2,000 (effective immediately for eligible applicants).
Reaction
MREF Chair Ciarán Kells said: “The measures announced today by Minister O’Brien are very welcome and have been sought by MREF for some time, including most recently in our Budget submission in advance of next Tuesday’s 2027 Budget Statement in the Dáil.
“We support the minister’s view that these support measures will accelerate the move away from imported fossil fuels and make renewable energy technologies available to a wider range of households.
“Furthermore, they will underpin an important micro-generation sector in Ireland that is providing hundreds of jobs up and down the country for skilled technicians and installers as they help households, businesses and farms move away from volatile, polluting fossil fuels.”
Kells added that these measures would “go a long way to helping farmers and businesses move to reduce fossil fuel energy costs and decarbonise their businesses”.
Pat Smith of Local Power Ltd. said that new grant limits would help address the “major vacuum” left following “the recent restrictions in Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3)”.
