Renewable heat scheme advances Ireland’s green goals
Ireland’s Support Scheme for Renewable Heat has significantly expanded, aiding businesses in transitioning from fossil fuels to sustainable biomass heating. Despite some challenges, recent improvements aim to increase accessibility and extend benefits to larger energy users under EU regulations.
Source:
Teagasc Agricultural News
•
⏱️ 1 min read
The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) has been a vital element in Ireland’s shift towards renewable energy, particularly biomass heating, since its launch in 2019. Administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), the scheme provides operational financial support for up to 15 years to various non-domestic sectors, including agriculture, hospitality, education, and healthcare, based on actual heat usage.
By mid-2026, the scheme had supported 77 fully operational projects, delivering approximately 132 gigawatt hours of renewable heat. This growth, however, has slowed due to the complexity of applications and uncertainty over tariff changes. To address these issues, recent updates propose tariff increases and external project management support to simplify the application process.
Looking ahead, the SSRH may be expanded to include larger energy users in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) sector, potentially accelerating renewable heat uptake and strengthening the biomass supply chain. The scheme continues to support Ireland’s climate targets by offering tiered operational aid for biomass and anaerobic digestion systems and a 30% grant for heat pump investments, promoting sustainable heating solutions across multiple industries. Full details are available on the SEAI Business Grants website.
By mid-2026, the scheme had supported 77 fully operational projects, delivering approximately 132 gigawatt hours of renewable heat. This growth, however, has slowed due to the complexity of applications and uncertainty over tariff changes. To address these issues, recent updates propose tariff increases and external project management support to simplify the application process.
Looking ahead, the SSRH may be expanded to include larger energy users in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) sector, potentially accelerating renewable heat uptake and strengthening the biomass supply chain. The scheme continues to support Ireland’s climate targets by offering tiered operational aid for biomass and anaerobic digestion systems and a 30% grant for heat pump investments, promoting sustainable heating solutions across multiple industries. Full details are available on the SEAI Business Grants website.
0 views