SSE Airtricity has presented over €13,000 to community projects close to its Knockastanna Wind Farm in County Tipperary. The presentation took place at Sean Treacys GAA Club, Kilcommon on Tuesday 27th May.
This latest presentation brings the company’s overall contribution to local projects in Tipperary to over €57,000. This year, a total of five community groups will benefit from the funding, including schools, societies and sports clubs.
The Knockastanna Wind Farm has a capacity of 6MW and produces enough green energy to power over 2,000 homes in the region. Through its Community Fund Programme, SSE Airtricity makes financial contributions to the communities closest to its wind farms.
Sean Treacys GAA Club is putting the money towards energy efficient lighting at the club. Oliver Carr, Development Officer at the club, said: “Over the past five years, we’ve made a number of energy efficiency improvements to our club house. This year we’re planning to install new energy efficient lighting to allow for longer practice session during the winter months. SSE Airtricity has funded most of these improvements to date, allowing us to have a comfortable and energy efficient building for the whole community.”
Most of the community groups are putting this latest funding towards greater energy efficiency. Projects range from cavity and loft insulation improvements at Kilcommon Community Council and Rearcross Football Club, to installations of energy efficient lighting at Cullen Latin AFC and Sean Treacy’s GAA Club. Cappawhite National School is hoping to install new heating controls for the whole school.
SSE Airtricity Community Development Officer, Anne Reynolds said: “We are delighted to be able to help so many community groups in the area. It’s great to see so much of the money going towards greater energy efficiency, something we’re always promoting at SSE Airtricity. Through our Community Fund Programme, we have been able to award more than €13,000 to 5 worthy projects in the region. We are committed to bringing positive energy to the communities near our wind farms. By helping local groups to become more energy efficient and in turn reduce their fuel costs, we can all live in a greener and more sustainable environment.”