Over £460,000 now awarded by SSE Airtricity to community groups in Fermanagh and Tyrone

SSE Airtricity, Northern Ireland’s largest provider of wind power, has today presented over £62,000 to community groups close to the Bessy Bell, Bin Mountain and Tappaghan Wind Farms in counties Fermanagh and Tyrone. The presentation took place at the Mellon Country Inn in Omagh, Co. Tyrone.

Through its Community Fund programme, SSE Airtricity has made annual payments to community groups in the region since 2005, and this latest payout takes the company’s overall contribution to over £460,000.

SSE Airtricity sold the Bin Mountain and Tappaghan Wind Farms in 2012, however, the company is still proud to operate the Community Fund on behalf of the owners, Greencoat UK Wind PLC.

A total of 25 groups and projects will benefit from this year’s payout, including sports clubs, youth groups and community associations.

The Two Castles Boxing Club in Newtownstewart will be putting the funding towards repairing a damaged roof. Sean Corry, Development Manager at the club, said: “The boxing club has benefitted greatly from SSE Airtricity’s support over the years. This year’s funding will be used to replace a damaged and leaking roof, ensuring that the heat inside the building won’t escape and our members can train in a comfortable environment.”

The majority of the recipient groups are putting this year’s funding towards greater energy efficiency, which SSE Airtricity strongly supports.

Castlederg St. Eugene’s GAC will be using the donation to insulate and renovate the attic space in their club house. Club Development Officer, Chris McLaughlin, commented: “Everyone involved with Castlederg St. Eugene’s is delighted with the funding we’ve received from SSE Airtricity’s Community Fund. This financial support means we can convert and insulate our attic space, which will improve our energy rating and provide an extra room for club members to enjoy.”

Other projects being supported range from installing energy efficient lights at Langfield Community Development Association to loft insulation at Mountjoy United Football Club.

Anne Reynolds, SSE Airtricity Community Development Officer, said: “We’re delighted to present over £62,000 to 25 worthy projects through this year’s funds in counties Fermanagh and Tyrone. We have now awarded more than £460,000 in total in the region since 2005 and it’s fantastic to see the difference the donations have made over the years. It’s nice to see so much of the funding going towards improvements in energy efficiency this year, which is something we’re always promoting at SSE Airtricity.”