Commercial Rates Energy Discount Scheme 2023 – Open
Rates Energy Discount of 8%
In 2022 almost 1,000 businesses across Waterford took advantage of the Rates Energy Discount Scheme. The Rates Energy Discount Scheme was introduced to encourage businesses to play their part in reducing carbon emissions, joining householders, the local authority and many more in the county.
Businesses across the world are doing their part to reduce carbon emissions, reduce fuel and save money. For the environment and for their bottom line.
In Waterford, businesses account for 24.6% of emissions, the majority of those coming from energy use.
Taking Climate Action is something we must all do in society, the Council itself is working towards a goal of a 51% carbon emissions reduction by 2030.
The Rates Energy Discount Scheme is continuing in 2023, with businesses being asked to go one step further and to complete an energy audit or an energy assessment. An audit or assessment will help your business to identify energy saving opportunities.
CHECKLIST FOR APPLICANTS:
- Rates Customer Account Number (your account number is displayed on your annual rates invoice).
- LAID number (your account number is displayed on your annual rates invoice).
Either:
- Proof of Energy Audit conducted for the business by an external consultant within the last 5 years – a copy of an invoice as well as the front page will need to be uploaded
or:
- Applicants without Energy Audit proof will be required to complete Energy Self-Assessment questionnaire designed to help you to identify energy saving opportunities in your business.
- Your business account IBAN from which your commercial rates are paid.
Eligibility
Businesses whose annual rate bill is less than €10,000 or who operate in the hospitality industry will be eligible to receive a Rates Energy Discount of 8% once they have either uploaded evidence of the Energy Audit to this platform by Friday, September 29th, 2023, or for those who have been unable to secure an audit you can avail of the discount by carrying out an Energy Self-Assessment.
Only rated properties suitable for energy audit are eligible to apply – for example yards with no buildings would not be eligible.
If you have undertaken an Energy Audit, the application should take less than 10 minutes to complete. In the event of Energy Self-Assessment, it will take longer to complete the assessment, just follow the questions to completion.
An audit completed by an external consultant can be used to apply for funding for energy efficiency improvements whereas the Energy Self-Assessment that businesses can complete on this platform cannot be used to apply for further funding.
To avail of the discount accounts must also be fully paid by 23:55 on 29th September 2023 or are in an agreed Direct Debit payment plan. The credit will be applied after the deadline once the requirements have been met.
All businesses who either upload proof of an Energy Audit or complete an Energy Self-Assessment will receive advice from Waterford City and County Council on what they can do next to save energy.
While multiple drafts are allowed, there should only be one complete application submitted per each Rates LAID.
Questions? – please email Climate Action Coordinator at gkennedy@waterfordcouncil.ie
Email Rates related queries to: rates@waterfordcouncil.ie
