SSE Airtricity presents over €113,000 to community groups in Cavan and Monaghan

SSE Airtricity, Ireland’s largest wind power provider, has handed out more than €113,000 to community groups close to its Bindoo and Gartnaneane Wind Farms in Co. Cavan, and Mullananalt Wind Farm in Co. Monaghan.

Through its Community Fund programme, SSE Airtricity makes annual contributions to community groups in the vicinity of its wind farms. The company has been awarding funding to local projects in Cavan and Monaghan since 2006, and this latest presentation takes its overall contribution in the counties to over €1.2 million.

This year’s presentation took place at the Tullyvin Community Hall in Cootehill, Co. Cavan on Thursday 20 July. A total of 51 community groups will benefit from the €113,000 fund, including schools, sports clubs and community centres.

Muckno Triathlon Club in Ballybay, Co. Monaghan, will be putting this year’s contribution towards new changing room facilities. Club Secretary, Damien McConnell, said:

“The main aim of the club is to promote triathlon participation in the area, and the club organises a number of events every year. The funding from SSE Airtricity will help us to build new changing rooms, as part of a joint venture with Ballybay Sailing Club. The changing rooms will act as the main base for our swimming training, and they will also be open for use by everyone in the community.”

St. Anne’s National School in Bailieborough, Co. Cavan, is receiving funding from SSE Airtricity for phase two of their project to replace external doors at the school. Paul Corcoran, Secretary of the Board of Management at the school, said:

“SSE Airtricity’s funding will enable us to fit doors that improve safety and insulation at the school. The new doors will help us retain heat in the building, and therefore boost our overall energy efficiency. The doors will also make it easier for children with special needs to access the school independently.”

The majority of the recipient groups are putting the funding towards improving their energy efficiency measures, which SSE Airtricity strongly supports.Other projects being supported range from installing energy efficient lighting at Bailieborough Development Association and Bailieborough Community Resource Centre in Co. Cavan, to fitting solar panels for Corduff Raferagh Community Association in Co. Monaghan.

Anne Reynolds, SSE Airtricity Community Development Officer, said: “It’s great to be once again awarding funding to so many forward-thinking groups. This latest funding brings our total contribution to the communities close to our Bindoo, Gartnaneane and Mullananalt Wind Farms to over €1.2 million since 2006, with a record 51 groups benefitting this year. With so much of the money going towards improvements in energy efficiency, we’re really proud to be making a lasting difference for local communities in Cavan and Monaghan.”

SSE Airtricity’s three wind farms in counties Cavan and Monaghan have a total generation capacity of 70MW, and produce enough clean, green energy to power over 30,000 homes in the region.