The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat is a government funded initiative designed to increase the energy generated from renewable sources in the heat sector. The scheme is open to commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating, public sector and other non-domestic heat users.

About the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat

The primary objective of the support scheme for renewable heat is to increase the level of renewable energy in the heat sector. This will contribute to meeting Ireland’s 2020 renewable energy targets whilst also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The government funded scheme will support the adoption of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating, public sector and other non-domestic heat users not covered by the emissions trading system. 

The Scheme aims to

  • Bridge the gap between the installation and operating costs of renewable heating systems and the conventional fossil fuel alternatives; and
  • Incentivise the development and supply of renewable heat.

The Scheme will support

  1. An installation grant
  2. On-going operational support
 

Eligibility criteria

SEAI have been appointed by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, as the administrator for the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat.  

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that:

  • Proposed heat use is eligible and adheres to verified energy efficiency criteria
  • Heat generating technologies and project installations comply with Building Regulations, Construction Products Regulations, EN Standards, efficiency, technology standards and air quality standards in relation to emissions
  • Designers and Installers are competent to carry out works
  • Recipients of payments meet tax clearance requirements

How to apply

The application process consists of following steps:

  • Check if you’re eligible – Refer to the Terms and Conditions of the Support Scheme Renewable Heat.
  • Collect all the required documentation and information. Refer to the Eligibility Guidelines for more information.
  • Complete the online application form. Note that you can save your application form progress at any stage while filling the form and if you hover the cursor over the question boxes you can find explanations.
  • You may choose to consult an expert to help with your application.
  • (Optional) Download a copy of your application. This will be available to you after you successfully submit the online form.
Apply now

Installation Grant

We offer a grant to support investment in renewable heating systems that use the following technologies:

  1. Air source heat pumps
  2. Ground source heat pumps
  3. Water source heat pumps.

Grant amount available

The installation grant provides funding of up to 30% of eligible costs, to successful applicants.

Apply now

Ongoing Operational Support / The Tariff

Now Open!

The Scheme offers ongoing operational support (a tariff) based on useable heat output in renewable heating systems, in new installations or installations that currently use a fossil fuel heating system and convert to using the following technologies:

  • Biomass boiler or biomass HE CHP heating systems
  • Biogas (anaerobic digestion) boiler or biogas HE CHP heating systems

The Tariff will be made available to successful applicants for a period of up to 15 years.

Apply now

Documents

High level scheme documents

Please hover over the document name and click to download.

Document name and linkDescription
Scheme Overview

High level overview of the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat.
Terms and Conditions The Terms and Conditions in respect of the Scheme that have been developed by SEAI and reviewed and approved by the Minister for Communication, Climate Action and Environment.
Privacy Notice

This document contains SEAI’s privacy policy for the SSRH Scheme.

Grant operational scheme documents and forms

Please hover over the document name and click to download.

Document name and linkDescription
General Block Exemption Regulation for SSRH

General Block Exemption Regulation – Commission Regulation (EU) No. 651/2014

Support Scheme for Renewable Heat – Heat Pump Installation Grant
Grant Scheme Operating Rules and Guidelines This document sets out the Grant Scheme process, the eligibility criteria for participating in the Grant Scheme and the operating rules in respect of the Grant Scheme.
Commissioning Form Grant This form should be populated by the installer during installation then emailed to SEAI and retained by the applicant.
Commissioning Form Grant and Declaration Please download and complete this excel form as part of your application to the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat.
Declaration of Incentive Effect for Grant Scheme

A Declaration that the Applicant has an Incentive Effect by receiving a Grant to part fund the acquisition of a heat pump under the Grant Scheme component of the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat.
Declaration of Solvency

Each applicant must complete and deliver a declaration of solvency in the form prescribed by SEAI confirming solvency of the applicant at the Application Stage and during the Payment Cycle.  The Declaration of Solvency should be signed by the applicant or an authorised person of the applicant.
Declaration of Funding Each applicant must complete and deliver a declaration of funding in the form prescribed by SEAI at the Application Stage.  The declaration of funding should be signed by the applicant or an authorised person of the applicant.
Declaration of Establishment Each applicant must complete and deliver a declaration of establishment in the form prescribed by SEAI.  This declaration of establishment should be signed by the applicant or an authorised person of the applicant.
Eligible Building Declaration Each applicant must submit a declaration to SEAI to confirm that the Eligible Building is not used for domestic purposes.  This declaration should be completed by the applicant or an authorised person of the applicant.

Tariff operational scheme documents and forms

Tariff operational scheme documents and forms

Application Stage

Document name and linkDescription
Tariff Scheme Operating Rules and Guidelines This document sets out the Tariff Scheme process, the eligibility criteria for participating in the Tariff Scheme and the operating rules in respect of the Tariff Scheme.
Declaration of Solvency Each applicant must complete and deliver a declaration of solvency in the form prescribed by SEAI confirming solvency of the applicant at the Application Stage and during the Payment Cycle.  The Declaration of Solvency should be signed by the applicant or an authorised person of the applicant.
Declaration of Funding Each applicant must complete and deliver a declaration of funding in the form prescribed by SEAI at the Application Stage.  The declaration of funding should be signed by the applicant or an authorised person of the applicant.
Declaration of Establishment Each applicant must complete and deliver a declaration of establishment in the form prescribed by SEAI.  This declaration of establishment should be signed by the applicant or an authorised person of the applicant.
Eligible Building Declaration Each applicant must submit a declaration to SEAI to confirm that the Eligible Building is not used for domestic purposes.  This declaration should be completed by the applicant or an authorised person of the applicant.
Design Report Guidance (Tariff Scheme)

This document provides guidelines on the main topics to be included in the Design Report.

Completion and Compliance Stage

Document name and linkDescription

Completion Report Guidance (Tariff Scheme)

 This document provides guidance on the main topics to be included in the Completion Report and the Declaration of Completion by the Design Engineer.

Declaration of Completion by the Installer

 

This document is designed to collect data and to aid the applicant during the period of installation, commissioning, and start-up, of the equipment for which an application has been approved and a Letter of Offer has been issued.

This document forms a part of the Completion report and Declaration of Completion by the Design Engineer’
Declaration of Completion Documentation Checklist 

This document provides a checklist, to be signed by the applicant, of the documentation provided by the Applicant at Design Stage.
Sustainability Compliance Declaration at Completion Stage

This document is a Declaration, to be signed by the Applicant, about Sustainability Compliance of the fuel type used.
SSRH Biomass Tariff Inspection Template   

This document provides an overview of the Document that the Inspector will follow when carrying out a site inspection and DOES NOT have to be filled by the applicant.

Heat meter Tagging Guidance

 Participants of the scheme are required to submit heat meter readings on a quarterly basis, confirming the amount of eligible renewable heat for processing the payments. Heat Meters are required to be permanent, fixed and tamper-proof, to prevent any reading alterations. This document provides guidance on tamperproof tagging the Heat meters using twistlock tags, procedure for replacing damaged meters and properly labelling the heat meters.

Heat Meter Commissioning Report

 This document provides a checklist of information required from each heat meter and sets the parameters for installation of the Heat meters in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. One heat meter commissioning report is required for each of the heat meters installed.

Operating Stage

Document name and linkDescription
Annual Declaration of Compliance Each applicant that is in receipt of a Letter of Offer and a Tariff Agreement will be required to complete an annual declaration to demonstrate its compliance with the Tariff Scheme Documentation and the ongoing obligations.
Operation Reports for Tariff Scheme The Operation Report is a report that the Applicant has to send every 6 months to SEAI for periodic data submission on the Tariff Scheme.

Other related documents

The development of the support scheme involved detailed economic analysis, extensive engagement with industry and the publication of two public consultations on the design and implementation of the scheme. Download the reports below that are relevant.

BioHEAT: A policy decision support tool in Ireland's bioenergy and heat sectors - This paper details the methodology for an integrated bioenergy and heat policy decision support tool that is being used to inform policy in Ireland.

Contact us

Queries should be addressed to: SSRH@SEAI.ie

Phone: 01 808 2006