SSE Airtricity, Ireland’s largest renewable energy generator, has recently presented over €100,000 to 42 community groups within the vicinity of its Meentycat Wind Farm, and over £70,000 in community funding to 15 groups in the vicinity of the Bessy Bell, Bin Mountain and Tappaghan Wind Farms in Northern Ireland.
SSE’s overall contribution to local energy efficiency and sustainability projects around the Bin Mountain, Tappaghan and Bessy Bell Wind Farms in Northern Ireland now sits at more than £450,000. And although we sold Bin Mountain and Tappaghan wind farms in 2012, we are proud to continue to operate the Community Fund for Bin Mountain and Tappaghan wind farms on behalf of new owner Greencoat UK Wind Plc.
As a result of the latest round of awards Two Castles Boxing Club received £10,000 from the fund and is using it to repair a damaged roof at the boxing club. Sean Corry, Development Manager at the Two Castles Boxing Club, Newtownstewart said:
“The boxing club benefitted greatly from SSE Airtricity’s support last year and the £10,000 we have received this year will go towards replacing the damaged and leaking roof, ensuring that the heat inside the building will not escape and all the members can train in a nice comfortable environment.”
Ederney St. Joseph’s GAC, which received funding, will use the money to install a solar panel heating system at the club hall, Sean Donnelly, Development Officer, Ederney St. Joseph’s GAC said:
“Everyone involved with Ederney St. Joseph’s is delighted with the funding we’ve received through SSE Airtricity’s Community Fund. The financial support means we have been able to install a Solar PV System, which will help the club to reduce our annual fuel and energy bills.”
In the Republic of Ireland, SSE Airtricity has made a substantial contribution to a sponsored walk which took in the sights around its Meentycat wind farm.
Last September, over 800 walkers representing almost 42 local groups took part in a 15km sponsored walk through our wind farm. Under SSE Airtricity’s Community Fund Programme, sponsorship raised by participating groups in the sponsored walk is topped up by additional funding payments from Airtricity.
Anne Reynolds, SSE Airtricity Community Liaison Officer, comments:
“With 800 walkers raising over €116,000 for local groups, both through their own fundraising efforts and through the community funding provided by SSE Airtricity, this year’s Meentycat Sponsored Walk was one of our largest to date. The event demonstrates the passion and commitment that local community groups continue to show to raise much-needed funding in these difficult times.”