Businesses within 10 kilometres of Ireland’s coastline can apply for renewable energy grants worth up to 200,000 euro under the Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme.
Funding of €25 million has been provided from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR), a one-off payment to Ireland from the EU to compensate for the impact of Brexit.
A variety of sectors may qualify in seafood; coastal tourism; boat building and repair; marine leisure and sport; renewable energy initiatives, and small non-commercial harbour or pier activities.
The scheme is being administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and delivered through Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs).
BIM regional officer Brenda O’Riordan said the scheme has already received some promising and innovative proposals across a range of blue economy businesses from seafood, coastal tourism, boat building and repair to marine leisure and sport.
“Given spiralling energy costs, we’re seeing a lot of interest from a wide breadth of blue economy businesses across Ireland’s coastal communities, particularly those looking to go green,” she said.
She cited examples ranging from fishmongers putting photo-voltaic units on the roof of the business to supply power and charter boat businesses upgrading their engines to hybrid/electric, to seafood companies looking at lighting, heating and refrigeration upgrades.
“With these grants, blue economy businesses can start to take greater control of their energy costs and become more sustainable by helping to reduce emissions and the impact on our environment,” she said.
The scheme is described as the largest of its kind ever and is open to three streams of projects: capital investment, business mentoring and capacity development, and upskilling and training.
Full details about the Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme, including how to apply, can be found here