Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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95. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the target of 500,000 homes to BER B2 or higher by 2030; the proportion of retrofits that achieved a BER B2 or higher that were solar installations only, i.e., no other works; the proportion of homes that were retrofitted with solar PV as part of the warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27560/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit, by 2030, the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal and install 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems.

The National Retrofit Plan estimates that, between 2019 and 2025, almost 185,000 home energy upgrades will be delivered with over 83,000 to a B2/cost optimal level. It is important to note that upgrades that do not achieve a B2 are still improving the performance of the home and therefore contribute towards the achievement of our climate objectives.

The Government has put in place a range of improved supports as part of the delivery of Ireland’s residential retrofit programme. These measures are aimed at making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and emissions.

Data from the SEAI shows that between 2019 and the end of May 2024, almost 154,000 energy upgrades were supported by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Of these, 44,683 were to a BER B2 level or higher. Of the total number of B2s, approximately 59% are upgrades that achieved a BER B2 with support under the Solar PV Scheme. However, it is important to note that the B2 is registered at the point at which it is achieved. For example, a homeowner may have improved their home’s performance at some point in recent years through a Better Energy Homes Grant and then subsequently achieved a B2 rating following the installation of solar PV supported by the Solar PV scheme. In that scenario, the home would be registered as achieving the B2 through the installation of a Solar PV system but the previous upgrade would also have improved the performance of the home. It is critical that this step-by-step approach is available to homeowners that cannot achieve a B2 in one upgrade project.

The Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 150,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme. There are a number of home energy improvements offered as part of the Scheme.

The scheme seeks to reduce the amount of energy a household needs by reducing heat loss through the installation of insulation and ventilation in the first instance, before moving to replacing heating systems where required under Building Regulations. This is in line with the fabric first/energy efficiency first principle and best practice.

SEAI are currently piloting the installation of renewable technologies, mainly heat pumps, where a major renovation is taking place. The purpose of the pilot is to test the capabilities and the suitability of installing heat pumps in the context of energy poverty objectives for the Warmer Homes Programme.

SEAI data indicates that in a small number of homes in the pilot, (fewer than 10), Solar PV has also been installed with a heat pump, with the aim of providing further insights in relation to running costs and uptake. The learnings from piloting PV installations will also inform the approach to compliance with future changes to the Building Regulations for major renovations under the scheme.

The Deputy may also wish to note that under the Solar PV for the Medically Vulnerable scheme, €20 million has been allocated to provide direct support to over 3,000 vulnerable customers on the priority services register who may have limited opportunity to reduce their demand. The scheme will provide customers with a 2 KW solar PV system, in order to meet some of their electricity requirements.

SEAI have engaged with the four main energy providers which account for 98% of the homes on the Priority Services Register. SSE Airtricity started their Medically Vulnerable campaign in July 2023 with outbound communications to eligible homes on the priority services register. As of the last update they have 345 homes with signed contracts who are in the process of being installed.