A Galway district heating project is among nine schemes provisionally selected for a share of €5 million in pre-construction funding.
The support, announced by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, is intended to help projects prepare for future construction and capital investment.
Heatgrid Ireland is the sponsor of the Galway proposal. The other selected projects are located in Blanchardstown, Castletroy, Drogheda, Dundalk, Leixlip, Monaghan, Naas and Portlaoise.
District heating distributes heat from a central source through insulated pipes, providing heating and hot water to connected buildings. Networks can use renewable energy or heat that would otherwise be wasted.
The Department says the pilot programme will help develop experience and gather information to support the wider rollout of district heating in Ireland.
The awards remain subject to final checks and clarifications. The announcement concerns pre-construction support and does not mean the networks are ready to operate.
The programme is being delivered with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.
