Airtricity has presented over €12,000 in community funding to four community groups in the vicinity of its Coomatallin wind farms in County Cork. The presentation brings total Airtricity community investment in the communities around its Coomatallin wind farm since 2009 to over €102,000.
Under its Community Fund Programme, Airtricity annually makes a financial contribution from each of its 23 wind farms owned and operated nationwide by SSE, the country’s largest renewable energy generator.
This year, groups being supported by Airtricity’s 2013 Community Fund include, among others Drinagh National School and Dunmanway Family Resource Centre, amongst others.
Anne Reynolds, Airtricity Community Development Officer, comments:
“We’re delighted that Airtricity and SSE are presenting €12,000 in funding from our Coomatallin Wind Farm for such a wide variety of forward-thinking and innovative local projects.
“This annual local investment will continue to grow and is in line with our commitment towards making energy better in the regions in which we build and operate our wind farms. By helping communities to make major strides to reduce their fuel consumption, their energy costs and their carbon footprint year-on-year we can all live in greener and more sustainable communities.”
Sheila Nowotynski, Principal at Drinagh National School commented:
“Everyone involved with the Drinagh National School is delighted with the funding we’ve received through Airtricity’s Community Fund. The financial support will allow us to upgrade the school’s heating system by installing a state-of-the-art energy efficient heating system, helping us to reduce our heating bills and put funding towards different projects in the school.”
Aileen Maguire, Administrator at Dunmanway Family Resource Centre, commented:
“This is the second year Dunmanway Family Resource Centre has benefitted from Airtricity’s Community Fund. Last year we were able to dramatically reduce heat loss throughout the centre with new attic insulation. This year the funding is being used to insulate the walls of the centre and through these measures we aim to further cut heat loss, reduce our energy bills and most importantly, create a warmer environment for all who use the centre..”