This year’s €205,000 contribution is a record-breaker for SSE Airtricity
SSE Airtricity, Ireland’s largest provider of wind power, has now handed out over €1 million to community projects close to its Tournafulla, Rathcahill, Dromada and Athea Wind Farms in West Limerick.
The million-euro total paid by SSE Airtricity to local good causes from its West Limerick wind farms has been reached following the presentation today of a record-breaking €205,000 in funding to 28 community groups in the region. The presentation took place at the Tournafulla Development Association Hall in Tournafulla, Co. Limerick.
Through its Community Fund programme, SSE Airtricity makes annual contributions to the communities closest to its wind farms. The company has been donating funds from its wind farms to local projects in West Limerick since 2008.
Margaret Watters, Principal of Athea National School, said: “SSE Airtricity’s funding has enabled us to complete the last phase of installing suspended ceilings in our classrooms. This will reduce our overall heating bills as it reduces the volume of each room by 23%, and as a result is creating a more comfortable environment, especially in the north-facing classrooms.”
The Tournafulla Development Association is putting this year’s funding towards roof repairs and insulation. Joan O’Sullivan, Treasurer of the Association, commented: “Over the past 18 months, numerous leaks have appeared in several different locations throughout the building. On inspection, the existing roof insulation was inadequate. SSE Airtricity’s funding means we can renovate and insulate the roof of the centre, which will greatly reduce our energy costs.”
The majority of the recipient groups are putting this latest funding towards improvements in their energy efficiency measures, which SSE Airtricity strongly supports. Other projects being supported range from installing a heating pump at Scoil Ide Naofa in Raheenagh, to cavity wall insulation for Athea Voluntary Housing.
Anne Reynolds, SSE Airtricity Community Development Officer, said: “We’re delighted to have awarded over €1 million since 2008 to so many forward-thinking community groups and projects in West Limerick. And this year we’re particularly proud that we’re paying out a record €205,000 from our community funds to so many worthy causes. As always, it’s great to see so much of this year’s funding going towards improved energy efficiency, which we always encourage at SSE Airtricity. We remain committed to bringing positive energy to the communities closest to our wind farms and we’re very proud of the difference our community funding has made over the last eight years in West Limerick.”
SSE Airtricity’s Tournafulla, Rathcahill, Dromada and Athea Wind Farms in West Limerick have a combined capacity of over 100MW and are capable of powering over 50,000 homes in the region.