Over €1 million now awarded by SSE Airtricity to community groups in Co. Cork

SSE Airtricity, Ireland’s largest green energy provider, has now handed out more than €1 million to community groups close to its Coomacheo, Curragh and Coomatallin Wind Farms in Co. Cork.

The million-euro milestone was reached this week, following the presentation of €138,000 to 24 local groups in the county, including schools, sports clubs and community organisations.

This year’s Coomacheo and Curragh Community Fund (€125,000) was presented on Wednesday 12 October at the Coiste Halla in Ballyvourney, while the Coomatallin Community Fund (€13,000) was handed out the next day, Thursday 13 October, at the Dunmanway Community Garden.

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. Cork since 2006, and these latest presentations have taken its overall contribution in the region to over €1 million.

The Coiste Halla in Ballyvourney will use this year’s funding to continue to upgrade the hall’s energy efficiency measures. Conchur O’Luasa, Secretary of the Coiste Halla, said: “We’re delighted to once again receive funding from the SSE Airtricity Community Fund. This year’s contribution will allow us to insulate the hall’s attic space, which will make it a more comfortable facility for everyone in the area.”

The Millstreet and District Housing Association will be putting the money towards insulating the Canon O’Donovan Centre. Mary Feeley, the Association’s Chairperson, commented: “This year’s funding from SSE Airtricity will enable us to further improve our energy efficiency at the Canon O’Donovan Centre, which by bringing down bills, will increase the funding available for care facilities for elderly members of the community.”

The majority of the recipient groups are putting this latest funding towards improving their energy efficiency measures, which SSE Airtricity strongly supports.Other projects being supported range from installing a rainwater harvesting system at Banteer Community Childcare, to insulating the walls and ceilings at Rylane Boxing Club.

Anne Reynolds, SSE Airtricity Community Development Officer, said: “We’re delighted to have reached €1 million in funding for local projects in Cork, through the Community Funds for our Coomacheo, Curragh and Coomatallin Wind Farms. It’s great to see so much of this year’s funding going towards improvements in energy efficiency, which will help to reduce heating bills and ultimately lead to a greener and more sustainable environment for the whole community.”

SSE Airtricity’s three wind farms in Co. Cork have a combined capacity of around 66MW, and produce enough green energy to power nearly 34,000 homes.

Full list of groups receiving funding: