– Latest wind farm awards bring total funding since 2006 close to €2m mark –
SSE Renewables, the leading developer and operator of renewable energy in Ireland, has awarded over €135,000 to community groups in the vicinity of its Coomacheo and Curragh Wind Farms in North Cork and its Coomatallin Wind Farm in West Cork. The funding was presented recently by SSE Renewables to local community groups at presentation events held in Ballyvourney and Drinagh.
SSE Renewables has now paid almost €2 million in funding to community groups in Cork since 2006 through its Community Funds programme.
Through the Community Funds for its wind farms, SSE Renewables makes annual contributions to local community groups within the vicinity of its Wind Farms. The 2023 Coomacheo and Curragh Community Fund of over €120,000 was awarded to 24 groups operating around Ballyvourney and Millstreet in North Cork, while the Coomatallin Community Fund of €15,500 was awarded to 10 groups operating near Dunmanway in West Cork.
Millstreet & District Housing Association received funding from the Coomacheo and Curragh Wind Farm and will use the funds to support them to provide housing for vulnerable and elderly persons in their semi-sheltered housing complex in Millstreet.
Maire O’ Sullivan, Manager, Millstreet Centre, said:
“We’re delighted to be receiving funding from the SSE Renewables Coomacheo and Curragh fund as this will enable us to totally upgrade the remaining two houses in our semi-sheltered housing complex. The two houses haven’t been upgraded in 30 years. Over the past five years SSE Renewables has awarded us funding to replace windows and doors for our other six houses. This means all 8 houses in the semi-sheltered complex have been totally upgraded. The new windows and doors will give the elderly and vulnerable in these houses enhanced security and lower heating bills.”
Drinagh National School received funding from the Coomatallin Wind Farm and will use the funds to build a geo-dome for students on the grounds of their school.
Dominic Hayes, Principal Drinagh National School said:
“We have wanted to build a geo-dome in our garden for the children of the school for years. This year’s funding from SSE Renewables Coomatallin Community Fund will enable us to do just that. It will give the children of the community the opportunity to learn how to grow food in an indoor environment all year round and help us obtain our seventh Green Flag.”
Speaking at the Fund Presentation Awards Anne Reynolds, SSE Renewables Community Investment Manager, said:
“We’re delighted at SSE Renewables to continue our financial assistance to community groups in vicinity of our Coomacheo, Curragh and Coomatallin wind farms in Cork, with funding awards this year going to 34 groups totalling over €135,000. This brings the total funding distributed in Co. Cork since 2006 to over almost €2 million. We’re very proud to be powering change in the local area. As always, it’s great to see so much of the money going towards social sustainability projects as well as improvements in energy efficiency, which is a great way to secure long-term benefit for the community.”
Other projects to have received funding from the community funds include:
- Funding towards lighting project for Millstreet GAA Club, Rylane National School, Rylane Community Park Association and Aghinagh Comhaltas.
- Funding towards insulation project for Presentation National School Millstreet and Drinagh Rangers Football Club.
- Funding towards equipment and facilities upgrade for Comhlacht Tithe Sóisialta agus Forbairt an tSuláin Teoranta, Scoil Naisiúnta Baile Mhuirne, Cumann Peil Naomh Abán, Clondrohid Community Recreational Facilities Ltd, Muinefliuch National School, Rylane AFC, Drinagh Community Association Ltd., Sam Maguire’s Juvenile GAA Club, St. John’s GAA Club and Christ Church Drinagh.
- Funding towards community and school playground for Scoil Chuil Aodha Barr d ‘Inse.
- Funding to install a defibrillator at Millstreet Parish.
- Funding to make Carriganima National School and Carriganima Community Childcare wheelchair accessible.
- Funding for school garden for Hollymount National School and community garden for Ballyvourney & Ballymakeera Tidy Towns.
- Funding for water heater and lighting project for Banteer Community Sportsfield Ltd.
- Funding for solar panels for Laochra Og Hurling & Camogie Club.
- Funding to run their programmes for Ballyvourney Active Retirement, Cloghoula More Stables, Drinagh Bowling Club, Drinagh Text Alert and Reenascreena Bowling Committee.