SSE Airtricity presents over €210,000 to Limerick and Kerry community groups

SSE Airtricity, Ireland’s largest renewable energy provider, has presented over €210,000 to community groups close to its Tournafulla, Rathcahill, Dromada and Athea Wind Farms in West Limerick.

This year’s presentation took place at the Ballylongford Community Hall in Ballylongford, Co. Kerry, with a total of 49 local groups from West Limerick and North Kerry receiving funding.

Through its Community Fund programme, SSE Airtricity makes annual contributions to local community groups. This latest presentation takes the company’s contribution in the area to over €1.4 million since 2008.

Athea National School in Co. Limerick is putting this year’s funding towards the last phase of a project to replace doors in its classrooms. Margaret Watters, Principal of the school, said: “The funding has allowed us to complete our project to fit replacement doors leading from our classrooms into the yard. This is reducing the amount of heat loss, creating a more comfortable environment for our pupils, while helping with our energy bills.”

Lenamore National School in Ballylongford, Co. Kerry, is using the funding for a similar project. Michael Lawler, Chairperson on the school’s Board of Management, commented: “The contribution from SSE Airtricity will enable us to replace the internal doors at the school, which will greatly improve our energy efficiency. The new doors will also bring us in line with the most up-to-date health and safety standards.”

The majority of this year’s recipient groups are putting the funding towards improving their energy efficiency measures, which SSE Airtricity strongly supports.

Other projects being supported range from installing energy-efficient windows at Abbeyfeale RFC, Tarbert Comprehensive School, Knockanure GAA and Scoil Naomh Padraig in Knocknasna, to insulating the attic at Gaelscoil Ó’Doghair in Newcastle West.

Anne Reynolds, SSE Airtricity Community Development Officer, said: “We’re really proud to be making a difference for community groups in West Limerick and North Kerry. This latest presentation takes our overall contribution in the area to more than €1.4 million, with a further 49 important and forward-thinking local projects receiving funding this year. As always, we’re delighted to see so much of the money going towards improvements in energy efficiency, which is something we always encourage at SSE Airtricity.”

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.