SSE Airtricity, Ireland’s leading green energy provider, has presented more than €44,000 to community groups close to its Kingsmountain and Dunneill Wind Farms in Co. Sligo.
The presentation took place at the Old School House in Templeboy, Co. Sligo on Wednesday 5 April. A total of 23 local groups will benefit from this year’s funding, including schools, sports clubs and community associations.
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. Sligo since 2004, and this latest contribution takes the total amount awarded in the region to over €329,000.
St. Mary’s National School in Templeboy has been receiving funding from SSE Airtricity since 2012, and will use this year’s contribution to install solar-powered lighting at the school. The school’s principal, Yvonne Judge, said: “Our school is poorly lit at night at the moment, which presents safety and security concerns. This year’s funding from SSE Airtricity will allow us to address this by installing solar-powered, motion-activated lighting along the footpaths around the school. The use of the solar-powered lighting will also help us educate the children on the benefits of renewable electricity and energy-efficient technology.”
The majority of the recipient groups are putting the money towards greater energy efficiency, which SSE Airtricity strongly supports.
Other projects being supported range from installing energy-efficient stage lighting for the Windmill Players Drama Group in Templeboy, to insulating the ceiling at Dromore West National School, to a range of water conservation activities at Easkey GAA Club.
Anne Reynolds, SSE Airtricity Community Development Officer, said: “We’re delighted to once again be awarding funding to so many forward-thinking community projects. This year, we’re contributing over €44,000 to 23 local groups. At SSE Airtricity, we’re committed to bringing positive energy to the communities closest to our wind farms, and we’re proud to have contributed over €329,000 to groups in Co. Sligo to date.”
SSE Airtricity’s Dunneill and Kingsmountain Wind Farms in Co. Sligo have a combined capacity of over 36MW, and produce enough green energy to power over 24,000 homes in the region.