A high level overview of the requirements for a successful Better Energy Communities funding application and project.

  • 700

    Direct and indirect jobs supported

  • 300+

    Projects supported since 2012

Developing a successful Communities project

By supporting project structures that can be easily replicated, we hope to showcase project models that can be implemented without SEAI support in the future.

Download the Community Grant Guidelines 2019

Types of projects we will fund

  • Community benefits
  • Multiple elements
  • Mix of sustainable solutions
  • A clear road map
  • Innovation
  • Project ambition
  • Justified energy savings
  • An ability to deliver the project

Types of projects we don't fund

  • Projects without demonstrated community benefits
  • Single element projects
  • Renewables only projects
  • Auditing projects – excl. M&V requirements
  • Monitoring only projects
  • Homes constructed post 2006

BEC 2018 funding levels

Better Energy Communities upgrades can take place across building types to reduce energy use and costs throughout the community.

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%
Housing Association   Up to 50%
Deep Retrofit (BER A3)   + 15%

Non-residential

TypeFunding level
Not-for-profit/community Up to 50%
Private and public sector Up to 30%
Public sector (exemplar) > 30% ≤ 50%

How we evaluate projects

Value for money
  • Value to the Irish State
  • Energy savings achieved
  • Calculation methodology
Quality and delivery
  • Delivery commitment
  • Robust project planning
  • Submission and project quality
  • Procurement process
Community and partnership
  • Community empowerment
  • Knowledge transfer
  • Energy savings road map
Innovation
  • Technical
  • Delivery
  • Financial

How to apply

We are now open for grant applications for 2019. Please familiarise yourself with our application process and guidelines for 2019.

Read the guide to completing your application.

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
  • 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
Download the Community Grant Guidelines 2019

Downloads

Contact us

Call 01 808 2162
Email bec@seai.ie