SSE Airtricity presents over €14,000 to community groups in Co. Tipperary

SSE Airtricity, Ireland’s largest green energy generator, has handed out over €14,000 to community groups close to its Knockastanna Wind Farm in Co. Tipperary. The presentation took place at Kilcommon Community Hall on Friday 19^th June.

A total of six community groups will benefit from this year’s payout of €14,192. Through its Community Fund programme, SSE Airtricity makes annual contributions to community groups in the vicinity of its wind farms. The company has been donating to local projects in Co. Tipperary since 2010, and this latest presentation takes its overall contribution in the region to over €86,000.

Kilcommon Community Council will be putting the funding towards LED lighting for the local community centre. Bernadette Quinlan from the Council said: “The community centre and its new Hub building were insulated in 2014 with the support of SSE Airtricity. This year’s funding will allow us to complete the work on the Hub’s visitor information point and exhibition area. Completing the Hub is one of the key objectives of the Kilcommon Village Plan, which aims to make Kilcommon a carbon-neutral village.”

All six recipient groups will be using this year’s contribution for energy efficient projects, which SSE Airtricity strongly supports. Other projects being supported range from adding insulation panels at Cappawhite National School, to installing heating controls for the clubhouse at Rearcross Football Club.

Anne Reynolds, SSE Airtricity Community Development Officer, said: “We’re delighted to be contributing to six deserving local groups with this year’s Community Fund payout. It’s nice to see so much of the funding going towards improvements in energy efficiency, which is something we are always encouraging at SSE Airtricity. We’re proud to make a positive difference to the communities closest to our wind farms, and helping local groups become more energy efficient will reduce their fuel costs and ultimately contribute to a more sustainable environment.”

SSE Airtricity’s Knockastanna Wind Farm has a total capacity of 6MW and produces enough renewable energy to power over 2,000 homes in the region. The successful applicants this year are Cappawhite National School, Cullen Village Tidy Towns, Donohill Development Council, Kilcommon Community Council, Sean Treacy’s GAA Club and Rearcross Football Club.