SSE Renewables has presented more than €13,500 to community groups near its Knockastanna Wind Farm close to the Limerick and Tipperary border. This year’s Community Fund brings the company’s overall contribution in the region to €171,721 since 2010.
A total of seven local groups benefited from the pay-out of €13,500, including schools, sports clubs and community organisations. Through its Community Fund programme, SSE Renewables makes annual contributions to community groups in the vicinity of its wind farms.
SSE Renewables is the leading developer and operator of renewable energy in Ireland and is the power behind leading greener energy provider and sister company SSE Airtricity.
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.
Kilcommon Community Council will be putting this year’s funding towards replacement of their defibrillator.
"In April 2021 our defibrillator was damaged during emergency action at a fatal accident. SSE Renewables’ funding has enabled us to replace this vital piece of equipment. The whole community expresses their appreciation to SSE Renewable for funding to replace the defibrillator."
Noel McMahon Board Member
Other Covid 19 projects are being supported at Cappawhite National School, Rearcross National School and Curreeny Community Council, to installing walking track lighting at Cullen-Lattin AFC, Doon GAA Club and Sean Tracey’s GAA Club.
"We’re very proud to be making a difference in the local area particularly in this difficult time for communities, this year’s fund has been repurposed to assist in rebuilding communities as we begin to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic."
Anne Reynolds SSE Renewables Community Development Officer
SSE Renewables’ Knockastanna Wind Farm has a total capacity of 6MW and generates enough green energy to power over 2,000 homes in the region.
The successful applicants for this year’s Community Fund are Cappawhite National School, Cullen–Lattin AFC, Curreeny Community Council, Doon GAA Club, Kilcommon Community Council, Rearcross National School and Sean Treacy’s GAA Club.