SSE Airtricity hands out 8th community fund to groups around its Coomatalin wind farm

SSE Airtricity, Ireland’s largest renewable energy generator, has presented Just over €10,000 to community projects around its Coomatalin Wind Farm in Co. Cork. The presentation took place at the Dunmanway Family Resource Centre, Tonofora, Dunmanway, Co. Cork on Wednesday, the 17^th September, 2014.

This latest presentation brings the company’s overall contribution to local projects around Coomatalin to almost €115,000. SSE Airtricity has been distributing Community Funds to groups in the area since 2006 and this year, a total of 4 community groups will benefit from the funding, including schools, sports clubs and community buildings.

Drinagh National School are using their funding towards upgrading its heating system. Sheila Nowotynski, Principal at the School, said: “We are delighted with the funding received from SSE Airtricity, and will be putting this towards upgrading our old storage heaters with new more energy efficient models.  The energy savings will enable us to divert funding towards different projects in the school again this year.”

The Dunmanway Resource Centre,  which received funding for the third consecutive year, will use the funds to install a solar panel heating system at the Dunmanway Resource Centre Aileen Maguire, Centre Administrator, said: “SSE Airtricity’s Community Fund has made a huge difference to the running costs of the centre over the last couple of years and this year, we hope to add to that with the installation of our solar powered water heating system.”

Other projects to receive funding from the 2014 Community Fund include, attic and wall insulation at the Ahakeera Community Centre and a new floor at the Reenascreena Community Playgroup in Rosscarbery.

SSE Airtricity Community Development Officer, Anne Reynolds said:  “We are delighted to be able to help so many community groups in the area. It’s great to see so much of the money going towards greater energy efficiency, something we’re always promoting at SSE Airtricity. The Coomatalin fund is one of our longest running funds, and it’s fantastic to see what a positive impact the fund has made to the community over the last couple of years.”