Supporting

The Community

SSE Renewables is Ireland’s largest generator of wind power and provides voluntary community funding to community groups near each of our wind farms across the country. Since we first began community funding in Ireland in 2002, we have awarded over €13 million from our operational wind farms supporting more than 4,000 local projects. Annually we share approximately €2 million with local community projects across the island.

We are committed to providing a Community Fund for Arklow Bank Wind Park Phase 2, once it enters operation. Our intention is that this Fund would support communities all along the coastline from Wicklow Town to Arklow and on to Courtown.

In order to progress Phase 2 of Arklow Bank Wind Park SSE Renewables must secure the support of the Government, through the Offshore Renewable Energy Support Scheme (ORESS). As part of this process Government will determine the parameters for a Community Fund for offshore wind. We look forward to working with the Government as these parameters are developed.

Our support for the community doesn’t wait until the wind farm commences operation.

To date we have paid out over €350,000 to communities in Wicklow and North Wexford to support the delivery of a range of initiatives particularly those with a marine focus.

Over the past three years we have been pleased to support among others, Seal Rescue Ireland’s virtual education programme, Wicklow Rowing Club’s boat restoration project, Meals on Wheels Arklow and Wicklow as part of their Covid-19 response, Arklow Maritime Museum, Wicklow Surf Lifesaving and the RNLI in Arklow, Wicklow and Courtown.

Arklow Rowing Club

Members of Arklow Rowing Club pictured at the clubhouse. We supported the club with its purchase of additional rowing machines facilitating indoor training sessions year-round.

Arklow RNLI

Arklow RNLI members pictured with Deirdre Keogh at the RNLI garden, Arklow Lifeboat Station.  Our fund supported upgrades to the RNLI garden at Arklow Lifeboat Station.

Tara Hill Community Development Association - Kilcavan Garden

Deirdre Keogh, Community Engagement Manager, pictured with members of the Tara Hill Community Development Association at the Kilcavan Garden, Co. Wexford. Our fund supported upgrades to the Kilcavan Community Garden and public information boards.

Wicklow Tidy Towns

Representatives from Wicklow Tidy Towns and Wicklow & District Lions Club, pictured with Deirdre Keogh, Community Engagement Manager, at the tree replanting event co-sponsored by SSE Renewables and Wicklow Lions Club, Wicklow Town.

If you would like to find out more about how we can help your group or organisation, please contact our dedicated Community Engagement Manager, Deirdre Keogh, on 087 1822587, or by email at [email protected] (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).

Find out more about each component

Have Your Say

We are committed to working with local communities and stakeholders to gather feedback and local information that will inform the project on an ongoing basis. Local knowledge is key to us so that we understand the issues that are important to the community and can refine our plans accordingly.

Have your say