Energy provider SSE Airtricity has awarded over €5 million to community groups to its Irish wind farms.

A new report, titled 'Energising Communities in Rural Ireland', looks back on the community funding awarded by SSE Airtricity last year, as well as its overall contribution since 2008.

Through SSE Airtricity's Community Fund programme, the company makes annual contributions to community groups in the vicinity of its wind farms across Ireland.

The company has been awarding funds through its Community Fund programme since 2008, and so far the company has presented over €5 million to local groups, including schools, sports clubs and community associations.

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In the company's last financial year it awarded over €700,000 to 247 projects, with over €500,000 going towards projects to improve energy efficiency.

Stephen Wheeler, Managing Director of SSE Airtricity, said: "We're extremely proud to have awarded over €5m in community funding since 2008, and this new report aims to show our ongoing commitment to the communities local to our wind farms.

"We strongly believe in playing our part by contributing to the social, environmental and economic well-being of local communities, and our Community Fund programme is designed to do just that.

"We were delighted to see so much of the money going towards energy efficiency projects last year, which are a great way for local groups to make savings, while ultimately leading to a greener and more sustainable environment for the whole community. I look forward to seeing more fantastic local projects being supported this year, and into the future."

(CD/JP)