Updates to the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (“TBESS”)

Scheme Extension

Finance Act 2023 extended the TBESS to 31 July 2023 from the most recently planned expiry date of 31 May 2023.

Time Limit to Make a Claim

The original time limit to make a claim under the scheme was four months from the end of the claim period.  The time limit to make a claim in respect of all periods has been extended to 30 September 2023.  This change applies retrospectively – a business that is currently eligible to make a claim for the September 2022 period has until the end of September 2023 to submit its claim.

Monthly Cap

For periods from 1 March 2023 onwards, the monthly limit on payments under the scheme has been increased from €10,000 to €15,000 per business.  In line with this change, in situations where the business is carried on across multiple locations, the monthly limit has been increased from €30,000 to €45,000.

Energy Costs Threshold

The threshold, which acts as a gateway to the scheme, has been reduced from a 50% increase in average unit price of electricity or gas to a 30% increase.  This change applies retrospectively from 1 September 2022.  Businesses that did not previously meet the threshold will now be able to access the scheme if they satisfy the 30% threshold. 

Revenue has stated that they will reassess claims using the revised parameters of the scheme.  Businesses that have already submitted claims will not need to revise those claims to take advantage of the new 30% qualification threshold.

Increase in the Level of Relief

The amounts payable under the scheme are based on a percentage of a business’s eligible costs—in short, the uplift in the electricity or gas bill as compared to a bill amount in a reference period.  This percentage has been increased from 40% to 50% of the uplift for claim periods from 1 March 2023.

Other Fuels

The Minister for Finance announced that there is to be a new grant for businesses using oil and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or kerosene.  The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will develop this scheme as the TBESS does not cover these energy supplies. 

Contact us

For additional information on any of the energy supports available to businesses or to discuss your eligibility and how you can make a claim, please contact our expert team or your usual Grant Thornton contact.