A high level overview of the requirements for a successful Better Energy Communities funding application and project.
What we fund
Projects supported
Successful Community projects must demonstrate some or all of the following characteristics.
- Community benefits
- Multiple elements, not a single focus
- Mix of sustainable solutions
- Innovation and project ambition
- Justified energy savings
- An ability to deliver the project
Measures supported
This list outlines the types of measures we want to support through the Communities grant programme.
- Building Fabric Upgrades
- Technology and System upgrades
- Integration of Control Systems
- Integration of renewable energy sources
- Domestic Combined Fabric Upgrade
- Single Building Demonstration projects will be considered under the Communities Grant.
Partnership and Timeframes
Partnership
Partnership is essential for a successful application. You should seek partnership from organisations that fall into the eligible categories. These partnerships can be assisted by SEAI if required.
Innovative and pioneering partnerships between sectors are encouraged. This might include collaborations between public and private sectors, residential and non-residential sectors, commercial and not-for-profit organisations, or financing entities and energy suppliers. Projects that are part of a larger energy efficiency project or that engage with other SEAI programmes are welcome.
Timeframe
The programme is run annually through a competitive process. Once applications are closed, we then review what projects will be supported under the scheme.
Find a Project CoordinatorHow to apply
SEAI will accept application for projects less than €220k which can be delivered by mid October. For further details contact bec@seai.ie or 01 8082162
Before making your online application, please ensure you familiarise yourself with our application process and guidelines.
Standards and requirements
In order to secure funding, we require that each project follows the standards and requirements outlined below.
- Prescribed standards – SEAI Contractor Code of Practice and Building Regulations
- All contractors should be registered with SEAI (where applicable)
- Optimal solution must be implemented
- A Post BER rating of B2 is SEAI’s minimum, as per the new Part L of the building regulations.Homes which do not achieve a minimum C1 and do not have a valid reason for not achieving B2 will be refused grant funding
- All domestic buildings completed must deliver a minimum BER uplift of 100 kWh/m²/yr.
- Representative sample of BERs required at application stage
- A pre BER and post BER should be published for all homes, this will be supported under BEC
BEC 2021 funding levels
Residential
| Home type | Fuel type | Funding Level |
|---|---|---|
| Private | Fuel Poor | Up to 80% |
| Private | Non-Fuel Poor | Up to 35% |
| Local Authority | Up to 35% | |
| Private Rented Homes | Up to 35% | |
| Housing Association | Up to 50% |
Non-residential
| Type | Funding level |
|---|---|
| Not-for-profit/community | 30% Up to 50% (may be available subject to state aid rules and SEAI approval in advance) |
| Private and public sector | Up to 30% |
| Public sector (exemplar) | > 30% ≤ 50% |
2021 SEAI Community Energy Grants - Application Tracker
Issue date: 23rd April 2021
| Application ID | Name | Date Received | Decision Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEC01032 | BEC03 20 | Jan-20 | March-20 | Committed |
|
BEC01124 |
Future fit 1 | 30-Nov-20 | Jan-21 |
Committed |
|
BEC01131 |
Ecomerit 2021 |
30-Nov-20 | Jan-21 | Committed |
| BEC01137 | SER Community Grant | 08-Dec-20 | Mar-21 |
Committed |
| BEC01139 | SER Communities_2 | 10-Dec-20 | Jan-21 |
Committed |
| BEC01126 | Energy Communities Tipp | 16-Dec-20 | Mar-21 |
Committed |
| BEC01141 | Musgrave 2021 | 18-Dec-20 | Mar-21 | Committed |
| BEC01145 | Musgrave 2021 B | 18-Dec-20 | Mar-21 | Committed |
| BEC01134 | Respond Kilkenny | 22-Dec-20 | Jan-21 | Committed |
| BEC01121 | 2021 Wicklow | 23-Dec-20 | Jan-21 | Committed |
| BEC01146 | Cavan Green Mile | 14-Jan-21 | Mar-21 | Committed |
| BEC01128 | REIL Communities PH 14 | 18-Jan-21 | Mar-21 | Committed |
| BEC01129 | REIL Communities PH 15 | 18-Jan-21 | Mar-21 | Committed |
| BEC01130 | REIL Communities PH 16 | 19-Jan-21 | Mar-21 | Committed |
| BEC01148 | Greenwatt 2021 | 20-Jan-21 | Mar-21 | Committed |
| BEC01140 | Wexford Co Co | 20-Jan-21 | Unsuccessful | |
| BEC01150 | Future Fit 2 | 20-Jan-21 | Unsuccessful | |
| BEC01147 | CEG 2021 | 24-Jan-21 | Apr-21 | Committed |
| BEC01119 | Communities 01 | 25-Jan-21 | Apr-21 |
Committed |
| BEC01154 | North East | 26-Jan-21 | MGT Approved | |
| BEC01158 | Dublin BEC 2021 | 26-Jan-21 | MGT Approved | |
| BEC01159 | Dublin 2 BEC 2021 | 26-Jan-21 | MGT Approved | |
| BEC01149 | CG2 | 26-Jan-21 | Apr-21 | Committed |
| BEC01156 | Cork BEC 2021 | 27-Jan-21 | Apr-21 | Committed |
| BEC01153 | Premier Donegal | 27-Jan-21 | MGT Approved | |
| BEC01155 | Midlands | 27-Jan-21 | Apr-21 | Committed |
| BEC01162 | Future fit 3 | 27-Jan-21 | Apr-21 | Committed |
| BEC01160 | South West BEC | 27-Jan-21 | Apr-21 | Committed |
| BEC01135 | KRAR | 27-Jan-21 | MGT Approved | |
| BEC01157 | South East | 27-Jan-21 | Apr-21 | Committed |
| BEC01161 | Mid West | 27-Jan-21 | Apr-21 | Committed |
| BEC01118 | 2021 BEC 01 | 28-Jan-21 | Apr-21 | Committed |
| BEC01168 | Midland 2 | 28-Jan-21 | MGT Approved | |
| BEC01127 | Waterford Co Co | 28-Jan-21 | Apr-21 | Committed |
| BEC01144 | 2021 Airtricity | 28-Jan-21 | Unsuccessful | |
| BEC01142 | Clar ICH | 29-Jan-21 | MGT Approved | |
| BEC01123 | RISE | 29-Jan-21 | Apr-21 | Committed |
| BEC01167 | KR 3 | 29-Jan-21 | MGT Approved | |
| BEC01172 | NCE SEC 2 | 29-Jan-21 | MGT Approved | |
| BEC01177 | Greenwatt B | 28-Feb-21 | MGT Approved | |
| BEC01178 | SE Systems | 28-Feb-21 | MGT Approved | |
| BEC01179 | BG&B 2021 2 | 28-Feb-21 | MGT Approved | |
| BEC01175 | KR CG 2 | 28-Feb-21 | MGT Approved |
Explanatory Notes
- Application ID: provided automatically by the application system
- Name: the name assigned by the applicant
- Date received: the date on which application parts A and B are successfully uploaded to the application system
Status will be indicated as one of the following:
- Under Evaluation: Application received and with SEAI for decision
- Evaluation Complete: Evaluation is complete approval cycle now commenced
- Approved by Management: Contract may require additional approvals
- Approved by Board: Final approval contract pending documentation
- Committed: all documents are in place and applicant has accepted the grant offer
- Evaluation Suspended: Insufficient details SEAI are awaiting clarifications
- Unsuccessful: project evaluation was unsuccessful
- Reserve: Application held in reserve as SEAI has exceeded the commitment level & no further applications will be sent for evaluation
Applicants will be able to see from the date received / decision dates if their application falls within typical approval cycles.
Communities 2021 Budget
As per 23rd April 2021
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Under Evaluation | 37 |
| Committed | 63 |
| Budget Available | 0 |
Presentation on how to complete the Technical Workbook
Downloads
- Communities Technical Workbook 2021
- Communities & NHRS Domestic Inspection Request Log 2021
- Communities Grant Tracker
- Communities Grant Guidelines
- Communities Workshop November 2019
- Communities Workshop Energy Audits
- SEAI Energy Audit Handbook
- ACA Declaration
- Assessor Declaration of Independence
- Domestic Reworks Declaration
- Project Completion Report
- BEC Financial Documentation
- Beneficiary Acceptance of Grant Offer
- Client Organisation Declaration
- Beneficiary Confirmation of Grant Receipt
- Data Consent Form
- NZEB and Major Renovation
- SEC Letter of Support
Contact us
Call 01 808 2162
Email bec@seai.ie