Written answer
Energy Conservation
SEAI’s national assessment of potential district heating areas is largely complete and will be published in Q4, informing projects, policy and future funding.
18. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the national level assessment being conducted by the SEAI centre of excellence, which will provide a report on the potential areas for district heating. [65700/26]
Comment on this
Government policy supports the development of district heating to contribute to the decarbonisation and diversification of fuel supply in the heat sector. The District Heating Steering Group Report was approved by Government and subsequently published in 2023. The report contains a suite of recommendations to support the development of district heating in Ireland, including a commitment to develop a National Level Assessment of the most suitable Candidate Areas for district heating in Ireland.
The National Level Assessment provides a model-based overview of potential district heating locations across Ireland. Based on the SEAI’s district heating candidate area map, the assessment analyses heat demand, heat sources and possible anchor loads to assist both public and private network developers in identifying areas with significant potential in which to successfully deliver efficient district heating projects.
The findings of this vital piece of work will support policy and regulations, provide relevant and standardised data for developers of district heating projects, and will help inform the long-term strategy for Ireland’s district heating sector.
Officials from my Department note that while the SEAI have largely completed their work on the National Level Assessment, publication will be in Q4 to ensure it fully aligns with, and complements, a separate body of work currently underway around the identification of district heating projects.
Once both pieces of work are completed, they will provide valuable data to assist private developers and Local Authorities across the country in identifying and planning district heating projects. This will build on the existing project pipeline, with €5 million pre-construction aid from the Climate Action Fund to be allocated to a number of projects throughout Ireland in the coming weeks. This will be followed by up to €100 million capital grant aid scheme in 2027 currently under development.