The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has welcomed measures secured by Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, in Budget 2025, which it said reflect the government’s commitment to Ireland’s clean energy transition.
Commenting, SEAI CEO William Walsh said: “Climate action and the decarbonisation of Ireland’s energy system has never been more urgent.
“The government has shown through record funding for residential and community retrofitting, including the solar PV scheme, in addition to the VAT reduction for heat pumps, that it is supporting homeowners and communities to move away from fossil fuels and maximise use of renewable energy.
“It is particularly welcome to see Minister Ryan’s commitment to expanding the fully funded Warmer Homes Scheme to support homeowners in energy poverty.”
The SEAI added that the The BIK exemption for electric vehicle chargers at home is also a welcome measure.
The association acknowledged the minister’s commitment to the development of a National District Heating Infrastructure and Market programme in addition to a Public Sector Building Energy Efficiency programme under the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund.
“Recent evidence demonstrates that the collective actions across all sectors, supported by the government, are beginning to show tangible reductions in energy use and energy related emissions,” Walsh continued,
“Budget 2025 ensures that we can maintain momentum and build on the strong foundations in place to realise a clean energy future for Ireland,” he said.
Renewable energy
Meanwhile, in relation to the Budget 2025 allocation of €750 million for upgrades of the electricity grid, the Micro Renewable Energy Federation (MREF) welcomed the funding allocation but has said that grid upgrades must be prioritised with improved grid access and power exports for micro-generators.
MREF chair, Pat Smith said: “The grid investment allocation announced in [the] Budget from Minister Jack Chambers must prioritise access to the electricity grid for farmers and businesses engaged in micro-generation of renewable power so that they can export power for payment.
“Grid constraints have become a major issue in some counties, including Donegal, and it is critical that the capital investment in the grid deals with these issues completely.”
Smith said that energy minister, Eamon Ryan, also needs to revisit the grants available to support domestic solar PV installations and battery storage to ensure that planned reductions in grants for solar PV are reversed and that grants for battery storage are re-introduced without delay.
Wind energy support in Budget 2025
The Irish wind energy industry has also warmly welcomed the €750 million investment to facilitate an equity injection to support capital spending on upgrading electricity grid infrastructure.
Commenting on the announcement, Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland said: “Wind Energy Ireland welcomes the funding announcement to develop Ireland’s electricity grid as part of Budget 2025, which is one of a several positive funding measures being introduced to accelerate the decarbonisation of our energy supply.
“To use the renewable electricity being produced by our wind and solar farms, we need a strong electricity grid that can carry the power to our homes and businesses. That is why the funding announced by the government is a vital investment in our future.”
Wind Energy Ireland is the representative body for the Irish wind industry, working to promote wind energy as an essential, economical and environmentally friendly part of the country’s low-carbon energy future.
It is Ireland’s largest renewable energy organisation with nearly 200 members and is an all-Ireland body, working in Northern Ireland through a partnership with RenewableUK.