Contributing to communities

Building a wind farm obviously has a significant effect on communities in the vicinity. At Energia we operate a community engagement programme in all our wind farm locations. The turbines have a life of 20 to 25 years, meaning Energia will be connected to that area for the same time. We take this opportunity to make a positive impact through our Community Fund, which allows us to pledge support to a wide variety of volunteer and community groups throughout the areas.

As a result of the scoping study carried out by the Community Foundation for Ireland, Energia Renewables ran a community benefit fund during the two years of construction at Meenadreen. Projects in the local area benefitted from grants that enabled the community to complete, expand or indeed start a project.

These included security lighting and cameras for the local community alert group; a new boiler in the Leghowney Hall; landscaping works at Clogher Le Cheile amenity site; and even funding for the beekeepers and sheepdog society.

Another of our wind farms, Teiges Mountain in Co Fermanagh, has recently announced grants totalling around £50,000 to 19 community and educational based initiatives in its local area. Grants have been awarded to a wide range of youth, senior citizens, sporting, health, and environmental projects.