The Micro-Renewable Energy Federation (MREF) has called on the Government to make renewable energy a key priority in Budget 2027, urging increased investment in solar PV and battery storage to help reduce energy costs, improve energy security and accelerate Ireland’s transition to clean electricity.
In its pre-Budget submission, MREF says that an annual State investment of €100 million in renewable energy grants could leverage five times that amount in private investment while generating enough clean electricity to power approximately 100,000 Irish homes every year.
The federation believes this investment would deliver significantly greater long-term value than continued spending on fossil fuel subsidies. MREF estimates that the proposed funding could support the generation of up to 500 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable electricity annually, reducing Ireland’s dependence on imported fossil fuels while supporting the country’s climate commitments.
As reported by the Irish Farmers Journal, MREF is calling for several measures in Budget 2027, including:
- Increased grants for domestic solar PV systems up to 6kW.
- The reintroduction of grant support for home battery storage.
- Continued SEAI support for businesses installing solar PV.
- New grant funding for commercial battery storage to help reduce electricity costs and improve grid stability.
The federation has also highlighted the challenges facing Ireland’s farming sector following reductions in support through the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS). Around 90% of applications for TAMS solar grants were unsuccessful in recent funding rounds due to budget constraints. MREF says that addressing this shortfall would cost the Exchequer no more than €10 million annually, helping thousands of farmers invest in renewable energy and lower their operating costs.
Another key recommendation is to revise the current SEAI grant eligibility rules. At present, homeowners and businesses connected to the electricity grid since 2021 are excluded from accessing micro-generation grants. MREF argues this disproportionately affects young families who have purchased newly built homes in recent years and is proposing that all properties connected to the grid up to the end of 2025 should be eligible for support.
MREF Chairperson Ciaran Kells, who is also Managing Director of Eco Horizon, said investing in solar PV and battery storage represents a long-term solution that would benefit households, businesses and farmers while strengthening Ireland’s energy security and helping the country meet its climate targets.
This article is based on reporting by Stephen Robb in the Irish Farmers Journal. Read the original article here: https://www.farmersjournal.ie/news/news/mref-urges-budget-2027-support-for-solar-922253.
