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 2019, over €235,000 in funding was provided to 86 community groups based near the wind park, bringing to almost half 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 is 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 is also 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.

14 January 2021: SSE Renewables and Greencoat Renewables, co-owners of Galway Wind Park have launched the latest round of Galway Wind Park’s Major Projects Fund, providing funding totalling €750,000 over five years to support transformational community projects around the wind farm.

Under the new Major Projects Fund, which runs from 2020 to 2024 inclusive, annual funding of up to €150,000 is available to be paid out to the local community for strategic projects.

Galway Wind Park’s Major Projects Fund is part of the wind farm’s overall €400,000-plus annual Community Fund programme, which is the largest benefit fund of its kind in the country. Funding from the wind farm, which is paid out to the community over the life time of the wind park, supports annual local community funding and scholarships alongside the Major Projects Fund.

This latest round of the Major Projects Fund follows the successful delivery in 2018 of the first round of strategic funding from Galway Wind Park. The first Major Projects Fund saw energy efficiency measures delivered over two years to almost 50 homes in the Seanaphaesteen, Fermoyle and Bunagippaun communities adjacent to the wind farm.

Under the new Major Projects Fund, grant support will be made available to not-for-profit community groups promoting strategic projects which aim to stimulate meaningful local regeneration and deliver long-term social, safety, environmental or economic improvements in the community.

Projects applying should be located within 10km of the Galway Wind Park and aim to improve or enhance the local infrastructure, landscape, biodiversity, heritage, or sports and recreation and make a lasting difference to the places where residents live, work and visit.

Awards available will range from €20,000 to €150,000 annually, and certain projects may qualify for multi-year funding of up to five years between 2020 and 2024The first round of applications for 2020, which was delayed in launching last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, is now open with applications for the 2021 round of funding expected to take place later this year.

All applications for the Galway Wind Park Major Projects Fund should contain a clear and concise business proposal with accurate costings, timings and targets, and demonstrate that the proposed development is shovel ready. Applications will be accepted from not-for-profit community groups within 10km of Galway Wind Park with preference given based on proximity. The closing date for this year’s Major Projects Fund application is Monday 1 March 2021. Funding will be awarded later this year.

The application form can be found HERE. In the interest of sustainability, interactive digital copies are provided however if you require a paper copy or more information on how to apply, please contact Michelle Donnelly on Email: GWP.communityfund@sse.com

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