ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • 65 €50 million retrofit scheme for SMEs Outgoing minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, has launched a new €50 million Business Energy Upgrades Scheme (BEUS) to support small and medium sized businesses to carry out energy efficiency upgrades. The scheme will provide substantial support to the SME sector to address energy costs and reduce emissions in their buildings, making them healthier, more comfortable and cheaper to run. The scheme, funded from the Climate Action Fund, offers up to €120,000 for a range of common building upgrade Business Energy Upgrade Scheme will support small and medium businesses to improve energy efficiency and save costs. measures including pumps, solar thermal, automatic controls, heat pumps, ventilation and wall insulation. In addition, support is offered to significantly enhance existing building management systems and for retrofit design activities. The scheme is open to all businesses and small public bodies who are upgrading a building they own or occupy. The initiative will be administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), with applications opening today. Building on the success of SEAI's Support Scheme for Energy Audits and the NonDomestic Microgeneration Grant, which have collectively supported thousands of businesses in recent years, the Business Energy Upgrades Scheme promises to be fast and seamless. An application can be made quickly by an SME, and a decision and grant offer can be generated within minutes. This addresses a key barrier for SMEs, allowing business owners to progress investments without delay and reducing the time spent accessing grant support. This new scheme is one of several initiatives that will continue the scale-up of retrofit activity over the coming years. Industry News LI nE dDuVsAt rNy CNE e w s B&Q Ireland Set to Acquire Three Homebase Stores for £3.2 Million The acquisition includes stores in Letterkenny, Navan, and Waterford, which will complement B&Q’s existing portfolio of eight stores across the Republic of Ireland. Once rebranded under the B&Q banner, the newly acquired locations will add over 9,300 square metres of combined retail space, offering customers an enhanced range of products and services for home improvement and trade projects. Customers at these revamped stores can look forward to accessing B&Q Ireland Limited has revealed plans to bolster its presence in the Republic of Ireland with the acquisition of three leasehold stores currently operated by Homebase. The deal, valued at approximately £3.2 million sterling, marks a strategic expansion for the home improvement giant. store network. We’re determined to give home improvers the choice and convenience they deserve, and these locations need a home improvement store that fulfils their need. We look forward to swiftly concluding the purchase and converting the stores to the B&Q brand and offer, and to welcoming our new customers to the stores and new colleagues to the B&Q family." B&Q’s comprehensive offerings, including exclusive Kingfisher brands, kitchen and bathroom design services, TradePoint counters, timber cutting, paint mixing, and convenient options like click-and-collect, home delivery, and bulk delivery through its online platform, diy.ie. CEO’s Vision Graham Bell, CEO of B&Q, expressed his enthusiasm for the deal, stating: "We’re delighted to be adding these three stores to our fantastic
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