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18 community projects receive over €125,000 in Airtricity funding from its Dromada, Rathcahill and Tournafulla wind farms

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0100

Community projects across West Limerick have been presented with a massive €127,000 in funding from Airtricity under the company’s Community Fund scheme for its Dromada, Rathcahill and Tournafulla Wind Farms, Co. Limerick.

The presentation is the largest ever made by Airtricity, which is Ireland’s fastest-growing and greenest energy utility. The presentation ceremony was held at the Con Colbert Community Hall, Athea, Co. Limerick, on Wednesday 7th March.

A total of 18 innovative community-based projects from areas such as Athea, Tournafulla, Templeglantine, Moyvane, Duagh and Newcastle West have received funding from this year’s Airtricity Community Fund.

Under Airtricity’s Community Fund Programme, the company annually makes a financial contribution from each of its 26 wind farms across Ireland to projects which promote local energy efficiency and sustainability. In Co. Limerick, Airtricity is supplied with green energy from the combined 68MW Dromada, Rathcahill and Tournafulla Wind Farms which are operated by Ireland’s largest renewable energy generator, SSE.

Local projects being funded from the Airtricity Community Fund include:

The replacement of existing windows and doors with new double-glazed windows and doors for Templeglantine National School;
Providing dry-lining insulation and replacing existing glazing with new double-glazed windows for Athea Carnegie Library;
The provision of dry-lining, cavity wall and attic insulation solutions for Athea National School, Glengurt National School, Carrigkerry Community Centre, Duagh Sports & Leisure Complex, Moyvane GAA Club, Glorach Theatre in Abbeyfeale, Newcastle West AFC Clubhouse, Tournafulla Community Centre, and Monagea Parish Hall;
The installation of rainwater harvesting systems for Con Colbert Community Hall in Athea and Desmond Community Creche in Newcastlewest;
Providing a ‘Big Pig’ food waste digester for Abbeyfeale Parish Community Garden;
Installing a solar panel water heating system for Tournafulla GAA Club;
Upgrading of existing training pitch lighting with energy efficient lighting for Killeaney AFC;
Supplying energy efficient bulbs for Killeedy Community Alert Group; and,
The provision of energy efficient outdoor security lighting for Tournafulla Community Alert area.

Commenting after the presentation, Mags O’Connor, Glencurt National School Tournafulla, said: "Airtricity’s funding for insulation of our school will enable us to reduce our overall heating costs as well as create a warmer and more comfortable environment in which they can learn. The reduced heating cost will also allow us to purchase educational equipment for the school thus enhancing the education of the children in our Community."

Margaret Scanlon, Con Colbert Community Hall, commented: "We’re delighted to receive funding to install a rainwater harvesting system in our hall. It is planned that through this project we could further develop the environmental properties of the building along with reducing costs of the water intake for the hall."

Anne Reynolds, Airtricity Community Liaison Officer, comments: "We’re delighted at Airtricity and SSE to be presenting over €125,000 in funding from our Co. Limerick wind farms for these exciting and innovative community projects.

"We believe in ensuring that local communities around our wind farms benefit from the presence of that wind farm in their locality. That’s why this year we’ve made our largest-ever community fund presentation from our Dromada, Rathcahill and Tournafulla Wind Farms. These funds are set to grow significantly in the coming years upon the completion of our nearby Athea Wind Farm.

"As a result, Airtricity’s Community Funds in Co. Limerick will help ensure that local communities, including each of the 18 groups being supported this year, can make major strides to reduce their fuel consumption, their energy costs and their carbon footprint year on year so that we can all live in greener and more sustainable communities."

Airtricity and Fleetwood splash some colour for a good cause!

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:00:23 +0000

Airtricity, Ireland’s fastest-growing energy provider, teamed up with Fleetwood, Ireland's largest indigenous paint company, to inject some colour into the Doctor Quarters of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.

16 staff members from Airtricity painted a Doctor’s rest area in the hospital using materials supplied by Fleetwood. The area, which is used by Doctors to rest in-between shifts, has always been on the bottom of the to-do list and the Hospital was delighted when the opportunity arose to freshen it up.

Since April, Airtricity staff have been involved with over 2,000 hours of Volunteering as a part of their Community at Heart initiative. The aim of Airtricity’s Community at Heart initiative is to provide a helping hand to the challenges faced by local communities and neighbourhoods around Ireland.

Pictured here are Airtricity painting volunteers with Steven McQuillan, Marketing Manager Fleetwood.

Presentation of the 2011 Airtricity Meentycat Wind Farm Community Fund

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:48:50 +0000

Airtricity, Ireland's fastest-growing and greenest energy utility, will tonight present €90,000 to 42 community groups within the vicinity of the Airtricity Meentycat Wind Farm. The presentation ceremony is taking place at the Villa Rose Hotel, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal, beginning at 8pm.

Last September over 600 walkers representing almost 40 local groups took part in a 15km sponsored walk through the wind farm. Groups of walkers from Ballybofey, Cloghan, Convoy, Lifford, Drumkeen, Glenswilly, Letterkenny, Stranorlar, the Finn Valley, and other areas in the vicinity of the wind farm took part in the event. The scenic route took the sponsored walkers through Airtricity's Meentycat Wind Farm and its adjoining Culliagh Wind Farm. As well as having the opportunity to raise funds, walkers also enjoyed the opportunity to get up close to many of the 63 wind turbines while taking in spectacular views of Donegal's most stunning natural landmarks including Mount Errigal and Barnesmore Gap.

Under Airtricity's Community Fund Programme, sponsorship raised by participating groups in the sponsored walk is topped up by additional funding payments from Airtricity. This year community groups raised over €70,000 with Airtricity contributing an additional €45,000 to participating groups.

This year for the first time, Airtricity also invited local groups to apply for funding to implement a range of energy efficiency projects under the new Meentycat Wind Farm Community Fund. Under this fund, an additional €45,000 in project funding towards energy efficiency measures will be presented by Airtricity to three community-based projects in Cloghan, Stranorlar and Ballybofey.

In total €90,000 in community funding will be presented tonight by Airtricity to local beneficiary groups.

Anne Reynolds, Airtricity Community Liaison Officer, comments:

"With 600 walkers raising over €115,000 for local groups, both through their own fundraising efforts and through the community funding provided by Airtricity, this year's Meentycat Sponsored Walk was by far the 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.

"For the first time we have launched and invited applications under our Community Fund Programme for energy efficiency projects in the area. Funding is being provided for a dry lining project at the Family Enrichment Centre at Stranorlar, for an energy efficient lighting upgrade at the Twin Towns Boxing Club at Ballybofey, and for a multi energy efficient project revamp at Ghleann Fhinne GAA. These investments under the Community Fund will leave a lasting legacy for generations and further demonstrate the economic benefits that renewable energy investment can bring to local communities."

The Meentycat and Culliagh Wind Farms, which are operated by Airtricity's parent company SSE, generate over 100MW of renewable energy to power Airtricity's greener electricity supply for its growing customer base. The Meentycat Wind Farm is Ireland's largest single wind farm.The green energy generated at Meentycat and Culliagh Wind Farms helps to ensure that Ireland meets its national targets of 40% renewables by 2020 and the EU's mandatory 20% reduction in carbon emissions.

In addition to Community Fund benefits, investment in renewable energy presents an unparalleled opportunity to act as a leading economic stimulus locally and nationally in terms of construction jobs and materials, professional services and through local income in the form of local authority rates and landowner rental payments.

Airtricity to present €114,000 to local Cavan and Monaghan community projects

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:48:50 +0100

Airtricity, Ireland’s fastest-growing and greenest energy utility, is today presenting €114,000 in community funding to local groups in the vicinity of the Bindoo, Gartnaneane and Mullananalt wind farms in Co. Cavan and Co. Monaghan. The presentation ceremony is taking place at Kill Community Development Hall, Tullyvin, Cootehill, Co. Cavan, beginning 8pm.

This year, Airtricity is making grant awards to twenty-three community-based projects adjacent to the combined 47 turbines. Under Airtricity’s Community Fund Programme, the company annually makes a financial contribution from each of its 26 wind farms across Ireland to local projects. The funding continues to focus on supporting energy efficiency and sustainability projects.

Airtricity is making individual funding awards to a selection of innovative projects promoted by community groups in the areas around the vicinity of the three wind farms. Projects in areas including Kill, Tullyvin, Canningstown, Stradone, Curbany, Ballyhaise, Lisboduff, Cootehill, Shercock, Bailieborough, Killinkere, Virginia, Mullagh and Castleblayney being funded.

Solar panel water heating system for Celtic Hurling Club, Kill GAA Club, Drumlin Equestrian Centre in Cootehill and Naomh Mhaodhog National School in East Knockbride, Bailieborough.
Insulation for Kill Community Development Hall Ltd., Drumartin Orange Hall, Trinity Church, Bailieborough, St. Felim’s National School Bailieborough , Killikere GFC, Kilgarry GAA Club and All Saint’s Parish Church Cootehill.
Insulation and heaters for Bunnoe Community Enterprise Ltd.
Upgrade of windows and doors for St. Oliver Plunkett’s Community Pre-School, Castleblayney and Laragh National School, Stradone.
Insulation and energy efficient lighting for the Virginia Show Society’s Judge Pavilion,
Energy efficient pitch lighting for Shercock Athletic Club
Rainwater harvesting system for Drumlin Hounds, Kill
Pig digester composters for Mullagh Guide Unit and Rainbow Kids Playgroup in Kill
Energy Efficient bulbs for Bailieborough Resource House and Castletara Camogie Club, Ballyhaise
Installation of air to water heat pump heating system for Bunnoe Childcare Group
Installation of outdoor energy efficient lighting for Corick Church Restoration Committee

In addition to Community Fund benefits, investment in renewable energy presents an unparalleled opportunity to act as a leading economic stimulant locally and nationally in terms of construction jobs and materials, professional services and through local income in the form of local authority rates and landowner rental.

Wind farm open day at Dunneill Wind Farm

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:54:28 +0100

The communities of Co. Sligo and north Co. Mayo were invited to discover the power of wind on Saturday, 11th June 2011, when Airtricity – Ireland’s greenest and fastest-growing energy supplier – hosted a wind farm open day at Dunneill Wind Farm near Dromore West to celebrate Global Wind Week 2011.

Of particular interest on the day was the presence of Toyota’s new Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Technology, one of only three such demonstration vehicles in Ireland, being powered directly from one of Airtricity’s 850kW wind turbines at the Wind Farm. This is the first time that an electric vehicle of this type has been seen being powered by a turbine here in Ireland.

The event, provided local communities with an opportunity to experience the wind farm and the benefits of wind energy up close.

The Dunneill Wind Farm, which powers Airtricity and is operated by the company’s parent SSE, is an extension of Airtricity’s existing 25MW Kingsmountain Wind Farm. Located to the south of the village of Dromore West in Co. Sligo, the 11MW Dunneill Wind Farm consists of 13 Vestas 850kW turbines and produces enough green energy to supply approximately 8,000 homes. The energy generated at the wind farm will save up to 33,000 tonnes of harmful polluting carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere each year.

The energy generated by SSE for Airtricity at Dunneill Wind Farm will help ensure that Ireland meets its targets of 40% renewable energy generation by 2020 and the EU’s mandatory 20% reduction in carbon emissions.

Airtricity to present €100,000 to local community projects in the vicinity of the Dromada and Tournafulla wind farms

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:50:43 +0100

Airtricity, Ireland’s fastest-growing and greenest energy utility, is today presenting €100,000 in community funding to local groups in the vicinity of the Dromada and Tournafulla wind farms, Co. Limerick. The presentation ceremony is taking place at 8pm in the Con Colbert Community Hall, Athea, Co. Limerick.

Under Airtricity’s Community Fund Programme, the company annually makes a financial contribution from each of its 25 wind farms across Ireland to local projects. The fund has taken a strong focus on energy efficiency and sustainability.

This year, Airtricity is making individual funding awards to 14 innovative community-based projects adjacent to the combined 55.5MW Dromada and Tournafulla Wind Farms. Sustainability and energy efficiency projects being funded in Athea, Abbeyfeale, Newcastle West, Castlemahon, Knockanure, Templeglantine and Tournafulla include:

- Complete re-insulation and upgrade of windows and doors for the Templeglantine Community Hall

- Insulation for Athea National School, Knockanure GAA Club, and Con Colbert Community Hall

- Replacement of windows and doors for the Abbeyfeale District Search & Rescue Centre

- A building energy rating (BER) for seven Community Houses and a Day Care Centre operated by the Brothers of Charity Services Ireland

- A BER for Templeglantine National School

- Insulation and double glazing windows for Castlemahon Community Hall

- Rainwater harvesting system for the Desmond Ability Resource Complex

- Energy efficient pitch lighting for Monagea GAA Club

- Energy efficient lighting in the Athea Sports Hall on behalf of the North Kerry Vixens

- Composters for the Green Acres project undertaken by West Limerick Community Development Project in Abbeyfeale

- Installing double glazed windows in St. Ita’s Parish Hall in Abbeyfeale

- Installing solar lighting in a recreational area for Athea Foroige Youth Club

Airtricity to present €7,000 to local Tipperary and Limerick community projects

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:50:43 +0100

Airtricity, Ireland’s fastest-growing and greenest energy utility, is today presenting €7,000 in community funding to local groups around the county border region of North Tipperary and Limerick. The presentation ceremony takes place at Cullen-Lattin Soccer Club, Cullen Co. Tipperary, beginning 1pm.

This year, Airtricity is making grant awards to three community-based projects adjacent to the 4-turbine Knockastanna Wind Farm situated at Doon, Co. Limerick and on the border with Co. Tipperary. This is the second presentation by Airtricity of the annual Community Fund for the Knockastanna Wind Farm which went into commercial operation in March 2009.

Airtricity is making individual funding awards to a selection of innovative projects promoted by community groups in the areas surrounding the wind farm. Projects in Cullen, Kilcommon, and Cappamore being funded include:

- Solar powered hot water system for Cullen-Lattin Soccer club in Cullen

- A Building Energy Rating (BER) for St. Michael’s Daycare Centre in Cappamore

- A Building Energy Rating (BER) for Kilcommon Community Village Hall

Dunneill wind farm

Fri, 27 May 2011 10:00:00 +0100

Under Airtricity’s Community Fund Programme, the company makes a financial contribution from each of its 26 wind farms across Ireland to local projects. The fund has taken a strong focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. This year’s Dunneill fund is supporting projects from Dromore West, Templeboy, Dromard and Owenbeg as follows:

- Solar water heating system for the St. Farnans Community Park Association

- Wall and ceiling insulation for a new community resource centre for Templeboy Pastoral Council

- Insulation and a building energy rating for the Skreen/Dromard High Park Parents Association

- Energy efficient lighting for the Owenbeg National School

- A building energy rating for the Kilmacshalgan Church and the McGee Memorial Hall

Rory O’Beirne, Templeboy Pastoral Council, comments:

“We are in the process of raising funding to renovate an old school building to provide a venue which will serve as a resource centre for community groups. Given that the building was first built in 1876 it is in need of a full energy efficiency upgrade. The Airtricity funding for our insulation will ensure lower running costs and a warmer building for our community.”

Joseph Burns, St. Farnans Community Park, comments:

“We were delighted to receive Airtricity funding for this exciting project. By installing these solar panels we will significantly reduce our gas usage. This will enable the Park committee to invest in more improvements and progress in the future to benefit the community.”

Kingsmountain Wind Farm

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:58:08 +0000

Airtricity is today presenting over €12,000 in community funding to groups in the locality of the Kingsmountain Wind Farm. The presentation ceremony is taking place at 8pm in the Dromore West Community Council Hall, Dromore West, Co. Sligo.

Under Airtricity’s Community Fund Program, the company makes a financial contribution from each of its 26 wind farms across Ireland to local projects. The fund has taken a strong focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. This year’s Kingsmountain fund is supporting projects from Dromore West, Beltra, Easkey, Killeenduff and Dromard including:

the funding of insulation in community buildings including the Beltra Hall, the Dromore West Community Council Hall, and the premises of Easkey Community Playgroup.
installation of a Solar Hot Water System for the Easkey GAA Club,
the provision of Composters for the Killenduff National School, the Skreen Dromard Playschool and the premises of Tireragh Community Support,
the provision of Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs for Dromore West Community Playgroup,
and the provision of Recycling Bins and Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs for St. Farnan’s GAA Club.

Anne-Marie Rogers, Easkey Community Playgroup, comments:

“We were delighted to be awarded funding from Airtricity. Our building is in a very exposed area right on the sea. The insulation has not been upgraded since the building was built in 1980. This funding will ensure a warmer environment for our kids plus cheaper heating costs.”

Shane Feeney, Easkey GAA, comments:

“Airtricity’s support towards our solar heating system will greatly reduce our running costs. The system will also allow us to accommodate the growing number of teams that use the club, ensuring warm showers for all.”

Anne Reynolds, Airtricity Community Liaison Officer, comments:

“Renewable energy investment not only brings economic benefits to the country as a whole, but also specifically to local communities. With Airtricity’s new focus on energy efficiency we aim to make a real impact on the energy consumption of local community groups. Not only does this reduce energy costs, but it also reduces the CO2 output of the local community.

“The Airtricity Community Fund is paid out every year for the lifetime of the wind farm. We look forward to future applications from the local community and hope to learn about more innovative ways to reduce energy consumption within the community around the Kingsmountain Wind Farm.”

Coomatallin wind farm

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:58:08 +0000

Airtricity, Ireland’s fastest-growing and greenest energy utility, is today presenting €12,000 in community funding to local groups in the vicinity of Coomatallin wind farm. The presentation ceremony is taking place at 1pm in the Dunmanway Rugby Football Club, Milleenanannig, Dunmanway, Co Cork.

Under Airtricity’s Community Fund Programme, the company makes a financial contribution from each of its 26 wind farms across Ireland to local projects. The fund has taken a strong focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. This year’s Coomatallin fund is supporting projects from Dunmanway, Castletown-Kenneigh and Reenascreena as follows:

Solar water heating system for the Dunmanway Rugby Football Club
Small scale wind turbine for the Castletown-Kenneigh Coppeen Community Association
A pig digester (used for accelerated composting) for the Drinagh National School
Double glazed windows and attic insulation for the Reenascreen Community Playgroup
Funding for an educational trip to Coomatallin wind farm for the Bantry & Dunmanway School Completion Programme

Isabelle Fitzpatrick, Reenascreena Community Playgroup, comments:

“The funding we have received from Airtricity will allow us to install additional insulation and replace the windows with double glazing. This will greatly improve the efficiency of the building meaning less electricity is used to maintain a comfortable environment for the children and staff.”

Anne Reynolds, Airtricity Community Liaison Officer, comments:

“There was a very high level of applications all addressing our new focus of energy efficiency/sustainability. We continue to learn about new sustainable solutions and this year’s fund had our first application for a pig digester. I must admit it took me some time to realise that this was not actually a pig but a large drum for accelerated composting.”

Coomacheo and Curragh Wind Farms

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:58:08 +0000

Airtricity is today presenting €122,000 in community funding to groups in the locality of the Coomacheo and Curragh Wind Farms. The presentation ceremony is taking place at 8pm in the Mills Inn Hotel, Ballyvourney, Co. Cork.

Under Airtricity’s Community Fund Programme, the company makes a financial contribution from each of its 26 wind farms across Ireland to local projects. The fund has taken a strong focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. This year’s Coomacheo/Curragh fund is supporting projects from Ballyvourney, Millstreet, Kilcorney, Coolea, Ballymakeery and Clondrohid as follows:

Building Energy Rating (BER) for Scoil Ábán Naofa and Scoil Chuil Aodha Barr DInse
The installation of a well and filtration system for Cólaiste Ghobnatan
Energy efficient pitch lighting for the Clondrohid Community Recreational Facility and Kilcorney Communty Development
An energy efficient dish washer for Millstreet & District Housing Association
Roof and wall insulation for Ionad Culturtha, Baile Mhúirne (community arts centre) and Clondrohid Community Creche
Energy efficient lighting display boxes for Millstreet Museum

The BER in Scoil Ábán Naofa revealed the need for big improvements in heat efficiencies. Airtricity has awarded the school a funding package to help pay for a full heating and insulation upgrade. This includes replacement of the existing single glaze windows with double glaze, additional insulation and the replacement of the current inefficient oil boiler with an efficient renewable biomass boiler.

Gearóid Ó’Scanaill, Scoil Ábán Naofa, Ballyvourney, comments:

“This support from the Airtricity Community Fund could not have come at a better time. Following last year’s success in achieving our recycling Green Flag we are now undertaking our energy Green Flag. The pupils and staff are becoming more aware of the importance of reducing our consumption of fossil fuel. The Airtricity funding gives the school a real opportunity to make this happen and most importantly reduce the school’s running costs.”

Mary Feeley, Millstreet & District Housing Association, comments:

“We deliver 100 meals-on-wheels per week, you can imagine the amount of washing up we have to do. Not only will our new energy efficiency dishwasher save us money on energy bills, but it will greatly reduce the time it takes to keep our kitchen clean.”

Anne Reynolds, Airtricity Community Liaison Officer, comments:

Airtricity’s Meentycat Wind Farm Walk

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:01:00 +0100

Over 500 walkers and strollers took to the rolling landscape last weekend of Ireland’s largest wind farm, Airtricity’s Meentycat Wind Farm and the adjoining Culliagh Wind Farm at Drumkeen, Lifford, Co. Donegal, to raise funds for local community projects in the area.

The walkers, representing almost 40 separate local community bodies and groups, were participating in the Airtricity Meentycat Community Fund Sponsored Walk. The walk is held annually to raise funds for worthy causes in the vicinity of the Airtricity wind farm. Groups from Ballybofey, Cloghan, Convoy, Curragh, Drumkeen, Glenswilly, Letterkenny, Stranorlar, the Finn Valley, and other areas in the vicinity of the wind farm took part.

The participants completed the 15km route through the Airtricity wind farm in times ranging from just over 1 hour for the super-swift to just under 3 hours for those who wanted to take in the scenery. As well as raising much-needed funding, participating walkers not only got a unique chance to get up close to many of the 63 wind turbines on the Meentycat and Culliagh Wind Farms, but also enjoyed unrivalled views of some of Donegal’s most stunning natural landmarks including Mount Errigal to the northwest and Barnesmore Gap to the southwest, as well as catching a glimpse of the outskirts of Letterkenny town to the northeast.

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Wind Farm Open Day

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:25:00 +0100

The community of Co. Tyrone came out in its droves last weekend (Saturday 19 June) to discover the power of wind as Airtricity – Northern Ireland’s newest and cheapest home electricity supplier – hosted a Family Fun Day at Slieve Divena Wind Farm.

Visitors from across the county and beyond attended the fun family event for an opportunity to experience the benefits of wind energy up close at the 12-turbine Slieve Divena Wind Farm. The energy generated for Airtricity at Slieve Divena is helping to ensure that Northern Ireland meets its targets of 12% renewables by 2012 and the EU’s mandatory 20% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020.

The Slieve Divena Family Fun Day was hosted by Airtricity and its parent company SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy plc), Northern Ireland’s largest generator and developer of renewable energy. The event was part of Wind Week 2010, the annual UK-wide celebration of wind energy which promotes wind energy as a clean, infinite, non-fossil fuel energy source.