SSE Airtricity, Ireland’s largest wind power provider, presented over €129,000 in community funding to 32 local groups close to its Coomacheo, Curragh and Coomatallin Wind Farms in Co. Cork last year.
The 2020 Coomacheo and Curragh Community Fund of €118,800 was awarded to 28 groups, including six schools for measures to enable the schools reopen during the pandemic, while the Coomatallin Community Fund of €10,722 was awarded to four groups including one school community for Covid measures.
Through the Community Funds for its wind farms, SSE Renewables, makes annual contributions to local community groups. The fund was operated by sister-company SSE Airtricity. The company has been funding community projects in Co. Cork since 2006, and these latest presentations take its overall contribution in the Rebel County to over €1.6 million.
Cloghoula National School received funding to convert a storage room into an extra class room from the Coomacheo and Curragh Community Fund.
Mary Murphy , Principal, Cloghoula National School, said: “We’re delighted to be receiving funding from the SSE Airtricity Community Fund, due to Covid 19 significant adaptions were needed in the school to protect the pupils and teachers. It is a small school in a remote area outside Millstreet. The lack of space to social distance was a problem but the storage room converted will give us an extra classroom and special education room.”
Jeremiah Quill of Ionad Lae, Baile Mhúirne, said: “The Community Funding we received enabled us to increase our valuable Meals on Wheels service to meet the needs of the elderly in our community six days per week. During the pandemic demand was higher than ever before with many service users living alone in isolation. For many, this was the only means for them to obtain a hot meal.”
The majority of this year’s recipient groups are putting the funding towards Covid measures towards opening their schools, clubs and community centres. A diverse range of initiatives were supported including community streaming equipment for Ballingeary Development Committee, energy efficient heating for Carriganima Childcare Centre, a safety rail for the wheelchair ramp at Carriganima National School as well as a contribution towards Phase 3 Carriganima Broadband Committee to increase the number of households connected to broad band around Commacheo and Curragh Wind farms.
Anne Reynolds, SSE Airtricity Community Development Officer, said: “We’re really proud to be making a difference for communities close to our three wind farms in County Cork. We’re very proud to be making a difference in the local area particularly this difficult time for communities and particularly schools, this year’s fund has been repurposed to assist in the relief measures around Covid-19. It is hoped this fund can provide some support with the ongoing pressures in the community owing to the Covid-19 pandemic along with energy efficient and sustainable projects. These latest two presentations take our overall contribution in the area to more than €1.6 million with another 32 fantastic groups receiving funding this year”.
SSE Renewables operates three wind farms in Co. Cork with a combined capacity of around 66MW, and produce enough green energy to power nearly 34,000 homes.
The 2021 Community Fund will open for applications on 30 August 2021 and close on 10 September 2021.
This year marks a change in the name of the funding programme. Previously promoted under the SSE Airtricity brand, the programme will now be known as the SSE Renewables Community Fund. The change is designed to better link annual funding award payments from SSE’s wind farms in Northern Ireland to SSE Renewables, which owns and operates each of the company’s wind farm sites.
Full list of 2020 recipients:
28th Cork Macroom Scout Group.
Air Ambulance Rapid Response
Ballinagree Community Development Company
Banteer Community Sportsfield Ltd
Carriganima Childcare Centre
Carriganima National School
Carriganima Broadband Committee
Clondrohid Community Recreational Facilities Ltd.
Coiste Forbartha Béal Athan Ghaorthaid
Comhaltas Cosanta Chúil Aodha - Halla
Comhlathas Cosanta Chúil Aodha Swimming Pool
Comhlacht Tithe Sóisialta & Forbairt an tSuláin Teo
Comharchumann Forbartha Mhúscraí
Cloghoula National School
Cuil Aodha Tidy Towns
Ionad Lae, Baile Mhúirne
Gleacaoícht Mhúscraí
Presentation National School Millstreet
Peileadoire an tSuláin Sullane
Peil na gCailini Ballyvourney
Rylane Community Council
Ryland National School
Scoil Aban Naofa
Scoil Chuil Aodha d’Inse
St. John’s GAA Club Millstreet
West Muskerry AC
Fanlobbus Union of Parishes
Drinagh Community Association
Drinagh National School
Dunmanway Sports Hall