SSE Airtricity awards more than €20,000 to community groups in County Wexford
01 Apr 2014
SSE Airtricity, Ireland’s largest renewable energy generator, has presented over €20,000 to community projects close to its Richfield Wind Farm in Co. Wexford. The presentation took place at Stella Maris Centre Kilmore Quay on Wednesday, the 26th March, 2014.
This latest presentation brings the company’s overall contribution to local projects in Wexford to over €150,000. This year, a total of 8 community groups will benefit from the funding, including schools, sports clubs and community buildings.
SSE Airtricity’s Richfield wind farm has a total capacity of 27MW and produces enough green energy to power over 15,000 homes in the region. Through its Community Fund Programme, SSE Airtricity makes financial contributions to the communities closest to its wind farms.
Kilmore GAA in Ballask is putting the money towards energy efficient sports lighting at the Community Complex. Kevin McGeever, Secretary at Kilmore GAA, said: “The funding provided from the SSE Airtricity Community Fund will enable us install highly efficient lighting in the Sports Arena. This low energy lighting will help reduce our energy costs, which will be a huge help to the club and allow us to invest funding in other areas.”
St. Fintan’s National School will use the funds to insulate the flat roofs at the school building. Bernadette Leahy, Principal of St. Fintan’s National School, said: “St. Fintan’s has benefited greatly from SSE Airtricity’s support. We’re looking forward to making the school building more energy efficient, and reducing our monthly energy bills.”
Most of the community groups are putting this latest funding towards greater energy efficiency. Projects range from energy efficient outdoor lighting at Teach Spraoi Community Childcare, to energy efficient internal doors at St. Anne’s National School. All Blacks Soccer Club and Kilmore United are both hoping to install new energy efficient pitch lighting with their funding.
Other initiatives include a rainwater harvesting system at Scoil Realt na Mara and the implementation of a beach cleanup project for Wexford Sub Aqua club.
SSE Airtricity Community Development Officer, Anne Reynolds said: “We are delighted to be able to help so many community groups in the area. It’s great to see so much of the money going towards greater energy efficiency, something we’re always promoting at SSE Airtricity. Through our Community Fund Programme, we have been able to award more than €20,000 to 8 worthy projects in the region. We are committed to bringing positive energy to the communities near our wind farms. By helping local groups to become more energy efficient and in turn reduce their fuel costs, we can all live in a greener and more sustainable environment.”