SSE Renewables is inviting community groups in Donegal to power local change in the area by applying for the 2024 Meentycat Community Benefit Fund. The fund will be open for online applications from Monday, 30 September to Friday, 25 October.
The Meentycat Community Fund distributes wind powered funding on behalf of Meentycat, Meentycat Extension and Culliagh Wind Farms. This year, a total of €150,000 will be available to community groups, schools, charities and sports clubs within a 20km radius of the Donegal wind farms.
SSE Renewables Community Funds is focusing on helping community groups become more sustainable and deliver projects that are financially sustainable while delivering maximum impact for the communities they serve. Groups whose activities focus on fostering community development, sustainability and improving health and safety standards are all eligible to apply. Projects with a focus on improving energy efficiency will receive additional points on their application, in recognition of their efforts in helping communities to join in the local transition to a net zero future.
Since the Meentycat Community Benefit Fund launched in 2007, SSE Renewables has donated over €1.5 million to local projects in Donegal. Last year, the fund donated almost €95,000 to 26 community groups in the county.
One such group was Drumkeen United Football Club, which was awarded funding to upgrade pitch flood lights. Willie Boyle, Secretary of Drumkeen United Football Club, says the Meentycat Community Benefit Fund has had a positive impact on the local sports club: “Thanks to the support from SSE Renewables, we were able to fully upgrade the floodlights on our training pitches. The new lighting not only improved the quality of our training sessions, but also enabled more teams to use the facilities simultaneously while enhancing energy efficiency. These upgrades have been a tremendous asset to the wider community, helping to promote both physical and mental well-being. We strongly encourage other groups in the region to apply to the fund this year and make a lasting impact to our community.”
Commenting on the opening of the 2024 Meentycat Community Benefit Fund, Anne Reynolds, SSE Renewables Community Investment Manager, said:
“From our experience, local community groups play a crucial role in the efforts to support and enhance people's lives. We're proud to have invested over €1.5 million since 2007 in the communities surrounding Meentycat wind farm. This year, we’re eager to strengthen relationships with community groups and collaborate on innovative and sustainable projects through the 2024 SSE Renewables Community Fund.”
SSE Renewables has awarded €12.3 million of wind-powered funding investment directly to communities right across Ireland since 2003, when the company launched its first-ever community fund. The company’s latest review also shows that SSE Renewables has provided just over €900,000 in community fund awards in the last year alone, benefiting 268 community groups and funding 17 academic scholarships to support access to Third Level education.
In the coming year, SSE Renewables will invite applications for community funding from two new wind farms, the 30MW Lenalea Wind Farm in County Donegal and the 101MW Yellow River Wind Farm in County Offaly.