SSE RENEWABLES AND GREENCOAT RENEWABLES PRESENT OVER €173,000 TO COMMUNITY GROUPS NEAR GALWAY WIND PARK

SSE Renewables and Greencoat Renewables have awarded over €173,000 to community groups close to Galway Wind Park through the new Local Community Fund for Ireland’s largest onshore wind farm.

The Local Fund represents around 50% of the overall Galway Wind Park Community Fund which, at over €400,000 this year, is the largest of its kind in the country. In addition to the Local Fund, the Community Fund also includes a Major Projects Fund, supporting larger-scale projects in the area, and a Scholarship Fund for local students.

This year’s applications focussed on rebuilding communities in the months ahead post-COVID. The 2021 funds were repurposed to support applications for running costs, as restrictions rendered communities unable to generate the funds to cover these expenses.

Oughterard Meals on Wheels received funding towards delivering their Meals on Wheels programme for Oughterard and the surrounding area.

Catherine Faherty, Chairperson, said: “Galway Wind Park community funding will enable us to continue to deliver meals to the elderly and those recouperating after hospital. We liaise with local GPs, Public Health nurses and hospital social workers to provide this service.  As well as a meal supply our service is a very important source of daily social contact for our clients.”

Parents’ Association Scoil Chuimin agus Caitríona Oughterard received funding to develop a sensory garden for the school and the loclal community.

Helen Cronnelly, Co-chairperson of the Parents’ Committee, said: “Scoil Chuimin agus Caitríona Oughterard is unique in the community in that it has a special needs ASD unit attached that helps children with ASD to access the curriculum.  The awarding of monies from Galway Wind Park Community Fund will enable us to create a sensory garden for the benefit of all pupils and others with sensory issues in the community. Furthering the school’s inclusive ethos, the school is dedicated to the uniqueness and individuality of all our children."

Anne Reynolds, Galway Wind Park Community Development Officer, said: “SSE Renewables and Greencoat Renewables are delighted that through the financial assistance of over €173,000 awarded from Galway Wind Park Local Community Fund within the last few months  54 community groups have been helped. We’re very proud to be making a difference in the local area particularly during this difficult time for communities, this year’s fund has been repurposed to assist in the relief measures around Covid-19.  It is hoped this fund can provide some support with the ongoing pressures such as running cost for groups in the community owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The 174MW Galway Wind Park, co-developed by SSE Renewables and Greencoat Renewables is Ireland’s largest onshore wind farm, generating enough renewable energy to power around 140,000 homes, while offsetting roughly 289,000 tonnes of harmful carbon emissions annually.