SSE Renewables Opens 2024 Fund For Cork Wind Farms

SSE Renewables has opened its 2024 community funds for Coomacheo and Curragh Wind Farms in North Cork, as well as its Coomatallin Wind Farm in West Cork.

Over €200,000 will be available for eligible community groups in North and West Cork. This funding will support initiatives aimed at long-term social, environmental or economic improvements. Eligible projects may include efforts to optimise energy use, promote sustainable transportation, enhance energy efficiency and improve green spaces. Additionally, projects focused on regeneration, upgrading local infrastructure or improving health and safety standards in existing amenities are also encouraged.

Since 2006, SSE Renewables has provided nearly €2 million in funding to community groups in Cork through its Community Funds programme. In 2023, the Coomacheo and Curragh Community Fund awarded over €120,000 to 24 groups in the Ballyvourney and Millstreet areas of North Cork. Additionally, the Coomatallin Community Fund granted €15,500 to 10 groups in the Dunmanway area of West Cork.


One such group was the Millstreet and District Housing Association, which received funding from the 2023 Coomacheo and Curragh Wind Farm Community Fund to support them in providing housing for vulnerable and elderly persons in their semi-sheltered housing complex in Millstreet.

Maire O'Sullivan, Manager, Millstreet Centre, stated: "The funding we have received from SSE Renewables has been incredibly helpful. It has enabled us to progress with upgrading the remaining two houses in our semi-sheltered housing complex. I would encourage all eligible community organisations in County Cork to apply this year. The application process couldn’t be more straightforward."

Anne Reynolds, SSE Renewables Community Investment Manager, said: "At SSE Renewables, we are committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work. For over a decade our community benefit funds in County Cork have been instrumental in driving meaningful change in the region. We look forward to receiving applications from more community groups eager power change in their local area this year."

Community groups within a 20km radius of the wind farms are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to projects within a 5km radius of each wind farm site. The application period runs until 5pm on Friday, 16 August.