SSE Renewables and Greencoat Renewables have donated over €155,000 to community groups in Galway, Ireland.

A total of 51 local groups close to Galway Wind Park have benefited from the investment through the wind farm's Local Community Fund.

The Galway Wind Park Community Fund was launched in 2018 and is the largest annual fund of its kind in operation in Ireland. To date, approximately €2.4 million has been allocated to groups around the Wind Park, including schools, sports clubs and community centres.

Anne Reynolds, a Community Development Officer at Galway Wind Park, stated: "SSE Renewables and Greencoat Renewables are delighted to continue our financial assistance to community groups in vicinity of the Galway Wind Park, with funding awards this year from the Galway Wind Park Local Community Fund to over 51 groups totalling over €155,000. This brings the total funding distributed by all Galway Wind Park funds since 2018 to over €2.4 million. We’re very proud to be making a difference in the local area. As always, it’s great to see so much of the money going towards social sustainability projects as well as improvements in energy efficiency, which is a great way to secure long-term benefit for the community."

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Co-owned by SSE Renewables and Greencoat Renewables, Galway's 174MW Wind Park can generate enough renewable energy to power almost 145,000 homes. Whilst offsetting over 140,000 metric of harmful carbon emissions annually.

Patrick Maguire, Head of Asset Management for Greencoat Renewables, said: "We are delighted to be supporting 51 local community and group projects through the Galway Wind Park Community Fund this year. As long-term owners of wind farms in rural areas we are keen to support and build strong relationships with the local community through projects like this. The Local Community Fund offers communities the opportunity to deliver sustainable projects which bring value and growth to rural areas which represents true community development."

Ciaran Maguire, Onshore Wind O&M General Manager Ireland for SSE Renewables, stated: "SSE Renewables are once again proud to be supporting local groups in the vicinity of Galway Wind Park who are bringing about change to their communities with transformational projects in their local area. Through the contributions of SSE Renewables to these communities and the local economy we can provide funding to so many diverse groups. We look forward to continuing to work with the community to help develop and deliver these projects that can bring a real difference to the communities in Galway."

One of this year's successful applicants, Corribdale Grounds Committee, received funding towards repairing the children's playground equipment.

Gerry Gibbons, Secretary for Corribdale Grounds Committee, said: "The playground at Corribdale Grounds was first opened in 2010 and has had basic maintenance works carried out on the equipment of the playground in the intervening years to ensure compliance for its Annual Safety Certification. The funding from the Galway Wind Park Local Community Fund will also us to replace worn playground equipment, ensuring a safe place for local children to play."