EXEED Certified grant
The EXEED Certified Grant Scheme is designed for organisations who are planning an energy investment project. Grant support of up to €3,000,000 per project is available.
EXEED Certified grant
SEAI provide grant support for projects which are following the EXEED Certified standard for Excellence in Energy Efficient Design.
The EXEED standard encourages innovation in design projects to help future-proof the investment, by
- optimising energy performance,
- reducing operational energy costs and carbon emissions,
- improving competitiveness and
- demonstrating commitment to sustainability, which could also bring a reputational boost.
The EXEED Certified grant scheme will remain open for applications until 5pm on the 31st December 2024.
Learn more about the EXEED Certified standardWho can apply
This scheme is open to all organisations planning an investment in an energy project. This includes:
- new design projects
- major renovation and major energy upgrades of existing buildings and assets
SEAI have developed a model contract to support ESCO (Energy Service Company) arrangements, while ensuring SEAIs obligations under State Aid are managed appropriately.
Please see the Documents section below to view the ESCO Contract Template and the supporting Explanatory Note.
Grant amounts available
The scheme provides funding towards implementing the EXEED Certified process. This includes professional services and additional capital required.
Support of up to €3,000,000 is available per project. The grant amount will be determined, with reference to the following steps:
The grant amount will be determined, with reference to the following steps:
- Refer to the confirmed SME status to determine the maximum grant intensity level.
- Refer to the declaration of incentive effect to identify the grant level (no higher than the maximum level determined at 1.) which will deliver additional energy and/or carbon emission savings. Multiply the eligible costs accepted following SEAI review by this percentage to give the grant amount required.
- Complete value for money checks as follows:
- For grant values of €500,000 or higher, the grant value will be capped at a maximum value of €850/tCO2 (annual),
- For grant values of €50,000 to €500,000, the grant value will be capped at a maximum value of €1,000/tCO2 (annual),
- For grant values of less than €50,000, no additional value for money test will be applied
Note: For applications with a grant amount request higher than €50,000, the grant amount will be capped at the higher of €50,000 or the value determined at step 3.
During the evaluation process, Electricity-related tCO2 savings will be calculated using an electricity emissions factor of 200 g/kWh for both electrical energy efficiency, and electrification projects.
The maximum grant intensity levels which may be offered are set out in the table below.
SEAI may at its own discretion offer lower levels of funding than the maximum grant intensities available. The level of support offered will be determined based on SME status, the incentive effect that the grant creates for the beneficiary, and a value for money assessment.
| Expenditure type | Large company | Medium-sized company | Small company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-investment professional services to implement EXEED processes
| Up to 50% grant | Up to 60% grant | Up to 70% grant |
| Eligible expenditure to implement EXEED processes
| Up to 30% grant | Up to 40% grant | Up to 50% grant |
How to apply
The application process is structured into two stages:
- Design stage
- Capital investment stage
It is not necessary to request support at both stages but it is a requirement that you achieve EXEED certification following completion of the project. Please read the EXEED Grant Scheme Guidelines for full information on the application process.
Click below to open the online Application Form. A read-only PDF version of the Stage 1 and Stage 2 application forms can be found in the Documents section below, for information, along with an instructions guide.
We are open for applications year-round.
Apply for an EXEED grantEXEED grant timelines
- The EXEED Grant will remain open for applications until 5pm on the 31st December 2024.
- It can support projects submitted in 2024 with a completion date up to 1st October 2025.
- The evaluation process typically takes up to 3 weeks at Stage 1 and 4 to 8 weeks at Stage 2. This may be longer for grants of €1,000,000 and above.
Key requirements
The top management of your organisation must commit to EXEED Certified and all requirements of EXEED Certified must be implemented. A 10% retainer (capped at €30,000) will be applied to the grant amount until EXEED certification and verification of the energy savings is completed.
What qualifies as incremental capital costs?
For a new design project or major renovation project- Eligible capital expenditure is the incremental investment over the baseline design.
- Eligible capital expenditure may be the full retrofit costs, however, these will have to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. A counterfactual may apply, for example, if equipment is being replaced at end of life. Further details are provided in Section 5 of the EXEED Grant Scheme Guidelines.
EXEED webinars
Watch our EXEED webinars below.
Please see the link to our YouTube playlist which includes the following webinars:
- EXEED Grant Scheme Audit and Inspection Process
- EXEED Stage 1 Grant Payment Process
| Document name and link | Description |
|---|---|
| Overview of EXEED Scheme Changes | This is a high-level overview of the changes to the EXEED Grant Scheme from relaunch in January 2021 to the most recent changes published in March 2023. Significant improvements have been introduced, building on learnings from the previous phase and stakeholder feedback. Some changes have also been made to better align the scheme with policy and value for money objectives. |
| EXEED Grant Scheme Guidelines | This is a comprehensive document setting out full details of the scheme, including eligibility criteria, timelines, funding available and grant payments information. |
| SEAI EXEED ESCO Contract Template | SEAI have developed this model contract to support ESCO arrangements under it's EXEED Certified Grant scheme, while ensuring SEAI's obligations under State Aid are managed appropriately. |
| Explanatory Note for SEAI EXEED ESCO Contract | Explanatory Note for SEAI EXEED Grant Scheme Approach to ESCOs. |
| EXEED Process Diagram | One page diagram showing the EXEED Certified process and some key aspects of the grant scheme. |
| This document contains SEAI's privacy policy for the EXEED Certified grant scheme | |
| EXEED FAQs | We have compiled this list of frequently asked questions received since January 2021. If you are unable to find the answer to your question(s) here, get in touch with us and we will be happy to help. We intend to keep this document updated with any new questions received. |
Grant operational scheme documents and forms
Please hover over the document name and click to download.
| Document name and link | Description |
|---|---|
| EXEED Stage 1 Application Form (read-only) | This is a read-only PDF version of the EXEED Stage 1 Application Form, for information purposes only. Formal applications must be made using the online version of the Application Form. |
| EXEED Stage 2 Application Form (read-only) | This is a read-only PDF version of the EXEED Stage 2 Application Form, for information purposes only. Formal applications must be made using the online version of the Application Form. |
| EXEED Application Form Instructions | This is a comprehensive instructions manual to assist applicants with completing the Application Form. |
| Declaration of Solvency | This form must be completed and submitted as part of an EXEED Stage 1 or Stage 2 grant application. |
| Declaration of Financial Resources | This form must be completed and submitted as part of an EXEED Stage 1 or Stage 2 grant application. |
| Declaration of SME Qualification | For SMEs only: this form must be completed and submitted as part of an EXEED Stage 1 or Stage 2 grant application. In cases where this form is not provided, the maximum grant available will be 50% at Stage 1 and 30% at Stage 2. |
| Stage 1 Multiple Buildings Form | Stage 1 only: This form is required in cases where an EXEED Stage 1 application relates to multiple buildings within one site. |
| Declaration of Incentive Effect | This form must be completed and submitted as part of an EXEED Stage 2 grant application. |
| Stage 2 Multiple Buildings Form | Stage 2 only: This form is required in cases where an EXEED Stage 2 application relates to multiple buildings within one site. Note that the Stage 2 Multiple Buildings Form and the EXEED Technical Workbook are part of the same workbook. Each is on one tab. Applicants which have multiple buildings are encouraged to complete both tabs of the workbook rather than submitting two separate workbooks. |
| EXEED Technical Workbook | This spreadsheet must be completed and submitted as part of an EXEED Stage 2 grant application. It collects information about the baseline specification and proposed specification for each opportunity. There is a second tab for Multiple Buildings - this is only required for Stage 2 applications which have multiple buildings within one site. |
| Lighting Calculation Tool | This lighting tool has been developed for use on all SEAI-supported non-domestic lighting projects and the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme (EEOS). It enables users to calculate energy and cost savings achieved by lighting upgrade projects. |
| Design Standards-Certification for Non Domestic Measures | Regulations, Standards and associated certification for standard measures. |
| EXEED Inspection Process | A presentation which summarises the EXEED Inspection Process. |
Templates and additional guidance documents
Please hover over the document name and click to download.
| Document name and link | Description |
|---|---|
| This template is recommended for use when applicants are completing the Project Execution Plan as part of the EXEED studies phase of the project. | |
| EXEED Energy Balance Study Template | This template is recommended for use when applicants are completing the Energy Balance Study as part of the EXEED studies phase of the project. |
| EXEED Challenge and Analyse Template | This template is recommended for use when applicants are completing the Challenge & Analyse process as part of the EXEED studies phase of the project. |
| EXEED Energy Savings Register Template | This template is recommended for use when applicants are completing the Energy Saving Register process where all opportunities identified should be recorded as part of the EXEED studies phase of the project. |
| EXEED Certified Requirements Additional Guidance Document | This document contains additional guidance information relating to EXEED Design, Verified, and Managed Certification. |
| This document contains guidance on the completion of a Measurement and Verification Report for EEOS, EXEED, CEG and Pathfinder programs. | |
| SEAI-MV-Report-Template.docx | This document can be used as a Template for completing a Measurement and Verification Report |
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