14 June 2019
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
The second phase of the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH), which will provide operational support for biomass boilers and anaerobic digestion heating systems, has opened for applications, Fine Gael Senator Tim Lombard has said.
“As a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action, I know the absolute necessity of transitioning to a lower carbon economy.
“This scheme is designed to replace fossil fuel heating systems with more sustainable energy from biomass or anaerobic digestion.
“Applications are now open. This round of the Scheme will support businesses and farms for up to 15 years for the installation and on-going use of biomass and anaerobic digestion heating systems. The Scheme is designed to support up to 1,300 GWh of renewable heat per year (equivalent to the heating needs of circa 120,000 homes).
“Overall, the projects supported will increase the renewable heat use in Ireland by three percentage points and decrease emissions in the non-ETS (EU Emissions Trading System) sector by approximately 300,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
“The scheme has integrated lessons learned from other similar schemes in other jurisdictions and, as a result, includes detailed eligibility and budgetary controls.
“Fine Gael is driving unprecedented cross-party collaboration on climate action. Fine Gael in Government is poised to deliver the most far reaching Government plan ever on climate action, which will be announced shortly by Minister Bruton.
“Full details of the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat including the tariff levels, terms and conditions and how to apply are available on SEAI’s website – www.seai.ie,” Senator Lombard said.