Public consultation events announced for Yellow River Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund

SSE Renewables are engaging with communities closest to the wind farm on the establishment of a Community Fund Committee

SSE Renewables, the leading renewable energy developer, owner and operator in Ireland, and developers of Yellow River Wind Farm, Co Offaly will be holding a series of public consultation events across four counties to meet with local communities in the vicinity of the site to consult on the associated community benefit fund and provide updates on the project.

These events will be held locally throughout the course of April and May to inform the relevant communities and stakeholders in Offaly, Meath, Westmeath, and Kildare about the community benefit fund. The full details of the six events are:

• Rhode Parish Hall, Rhode, Co. Offaly, R35 DF79 on Thursday 20th April from 4.00-8.00pm
• Castlejordan National School, Castlejordan, Co. Meath, R35 NX94 on Tuesday 25th April from 4.00-8.00pm
• Scoil Naoimh Phadraig, Ballybryan, Co. Offaly, R35 X670 on Wednesday 26th April from 4.00-8.00pm
• Croghan Community Hall, Cannakill, Co. Offaly, R35 VR66 on Thursday 27th April from 4.00-8.00pm
• Tyrrellspass Community Centre, Tyrrellspass, Co. Westmeath, N91 FND3 on Tuesday 2nd May from 4.00-8.00pm
• Edenderry Golf Club, Kishawanny Lower, Co. Kildare, R45 PV48 on Wednesday 3rd May from 4.00-8.00pm

SSE Renewables will contribute €2 per MWh generated to local community groups and projects with an approximated €595,000 per annum for the community benefit fund, over the course of 15 years. The Fund will be open to applications from not-for-profit community enterprises, clubs & societies and similar not-for-profit entities once Yellow River Wind Farm is in operation.

Paul Rodgers Project Manager on Yellow River Wind Farm for SSE Renewables said: “We are looking forward to meeting with members of the community in person and get their input on how the community benefit fund can support neighbouring communities. Our dedicated project team will also be there in person to answer any questions about the Yellow River Wind Farm development itself, or about the Community Benefit Fund.”

The public consultation events will be supported by the Offaly Local Development Company to provide an overview of the community benefit fund and to help inform community members of the opportunities from the fund.

As part of the community benefit fund, a community fund committee will be established to be the decision-making body for the fund which will place communities at the heart of the decision-making process. The committee will be made up of voluntary, community representatives and will have the ultimate responsibility for the fund strategy and delivery.

Anyone who wishes to sit on this committee is invited to complete an expression of interest form or visit: https://www.sserenewables.com/yellow-river/

For any further information please contact: [email protected]