Qualifying micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including those involved in primary agriculture and fishing, that meet the eligibility criteria.
SMEs are defined by the standard EU definition contained in Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC as enterprises that:

• have fewer than 250 employees
• have an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million
• are independent and autonomous, not part of a wider group of enterprises
• have less than 25% of their capital held by public bodies

In addition, in order to be eligible for the scheme, SMEs must be both established and operating in the Republic of Ireland

For an extensive definition of qualifying enterprises, please check the SBCI website.

An SME that:

• does not satisfy the eligibility criteria
• is bankrupt or being wound up or having its affairs administered by courts
• is subject to, or fulfil the criteria under domestic law for being placed in, collective insolvency proceedings
• in the last five years has entered into an arrangement in the context of being bankrupt or wound up or having its affairs administered by courts
• has a substantial focus in one or more of the excluded activities or restricted sectors
• has been convicted of an offence or subject to a ruling concerning professional conduct, fraud, corruption, involvement in a criminal organisation, money laundering or any other illegal activity where such illegal activity is detrimental to the EU’s financial interest

For an expanded list, please check the SBCI website.

If you have received an eligibility confirmation letter from the SBCI and submitted an application with us along with your eligibility reference number, you should receive a response on your application within 2-3 business days. You will receive an update from one of our dedicated sales directors to the phone number or email address you provided in your initial application. Our sales directors can then guide you through the next steps until your finance has been drawn down.

Lending amounts range from €10,000 to a maximum of €150,000 per borrower and the lending amount will be dependent on aid intensity and State aid thresholds.

The Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme (EELS) is designed to help qualifying viable Irish businesses and primary producers (farmers/fishers) increase their investment in the energy efficiency of their enterprise.
Assets listed on the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Triple E Register for Products are deemed eligible energy efficiency assets that may be financed under this scheme, except for electric vehicles (EVs).