Renewable Energy Projects Now Eligible for NIRDP Funding

16/08/2011

Applications for stand -alone renewable energy projects are now eligible under the Axis 3 ‘Rural Life’ measures of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.  

Farmers and rural businesses are eligible to apply for up to £50,000 at a grant rate of 50% while Social Economy Enterprises are eligible up to £170,000 at a grant rate of 75%.

 Farm Diversification Measure 3.1:

Projects can be funded the farm owner or farm family member become an energy producer i.e that 100% of the output is sold to a third party eg NIE.

Existing farm diversification businesses or other rural businesses can also apply to increase the profitability and increase Gross Added Value of a farm diversification business which must be separate to any existing farm business. All energy generated must either be used by the diversified business and/or sold to a third party eg NIE. None of the energy produced can be diverted to the existing farm business or the farm home domestic running costs.

GENERAL RULES

All match funding for private businesses must come by private means while non private businesses cannot be match funded by other EU sources e.g Carbon Trust; Stand alone renewable equipment (except Anaerobic Digestors which were eligible under the now closed Biomass processing Challenge Fund) can be applied for under all six Axis 3 measures; Second hand equipment can be purchased as long as the conditions for same under the operating rules are followed.

Some further specific detailed conditions are in place  - for full information contact your Local Action Group.

See also CAFRE Renewable Energy Workshops

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