The incoming government has a mountain to climb if it is to achieve the original objective of retrofitting half a million homes to B2 Building Energy Rating (BER) standard by 2030, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.
Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate action, said:
“While the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) paid out €420 million to assist households with home energy upgrades last year, it is concerning to note that the majority of work only involved so-called ‘shallow’ retrofits.
“Of the 54,000 homes that availed of SEAI grants, just 22,000 – or 40 per cent – achieved a B2 rating or higher. As this rating is considered the benchmark for optimum energy performance, this figure is disappointing.
“Only one out of every 15 upgrade projects included a switch from oil or gas systems to a heat pump, a key retrofit measure in improving a home’s energy efficiency.
“The figures highlight the scale of the challenge ahead for the incoming government. When the National Retrofitting Scheme was first launched in February 2022, a target of 500,000 home energy upgrades to B2 BER by 2030 was set.
“However, based on the latest data from the SEAI, we are way off course if we still want to achieve the original retrofitting goals.
“Given that the new government will be relying on the support of a number of climate-sceptic Independent TDs, it is crucial that these targets are not quietly revised downwards during the next administration.”
January 15, 2025