Galway Wind Park

Located in Connemara’s Cloosh Valley, Galway Wind Park is Ireland’s largest onshore wind farm, generating enough renewable energy to power every home in Galway city and county. Jointly owned by SSE Renewables and Greencoat Renewables, the wind farm operates an overall €400,000-plus Community Fund paid annually in contributions to local groups and individuals via its Local Fund, Major Projects Fund, and Scholarship Fund. The overall Galway Wind Park Community Fund is the largest of its kind in the country.

The Local Fund represents around 50% of the overall Galway Wind Park Community Fund. The Local Fund supports projects focused on energy efficiency, safety, environmental sustainability, social sustainability, recreation and tourism, and education and skills development.

In 2020, over €227,000 in funding was provided to 66 community groups based near the wind park, bringing to almost three-quarters of a million euro the total amount of funding that has been presented so far since the Local Fund was established in 2018.

In addition to the Local Fund, the Community Fund also includes a Major Projects Fund, supporting larger-scale projects in the area, and a Scholarship Fund for local students.

In response to the COVID-19 emergency, SSE Renewables and Greencoat Renewables launched a €70,000 COVID-19 response fund in April 2020 to support local communities around the wind farm. The funding was made immediately available to groups mobilising a rapid response to support those most-in-need as a direct result of the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak. In addition to supporting rapid response initiatives, funding was also made available for projects that will help rebuild our community in the months ahead.

The 174MW Galway Wind Park is Ireland’s largest onshore wind farm, generating enough renewable energy to power around 140,000 homes, while offsetting over 175,000 tonnes of harmful carbon emissions annually.

8 March 2021: The Galway Wind Park Scholarship Fund 2021 has closed and will re-open in the Autumn.

The aim of the Galway Wind Park Community Fund is to maximise value and impact for local communities and people in the long-term. One of the most ways we can do this is through powering education and skills development.

The Galway Wind Park Scholarship is designed to provide third-level education opportunities for local people to gain qualifications and ultimately build strong careers. The Galway Wind Park Scholarship Fund is worth 12.5% of the total annual Community Fund, typically around €50,000 per annum.

Geographical scope: Funding is available to all those living within the 20 km of Galway Wind Park and undertaking third level courses in Galway and across the island of Ireland.
Level of funding: The Scholarship will grant 50% towards a student’s annual fees for a maximum of three years.
Selection process: The Galway Wind Park Community Team will work with GMIT, NUI Galway and FORUM Connemara CLG to administer the Scholarship programme.

Communities

Galway Wind Park