A funding injection of more than €90,000 is set to benefit communities across Donegal, with 12 local organisations securing financial support through the Lenalea Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

Operated by SSE, the 30MW Lenalea Wind Farm became fully operational in 2024. The site provides annual financial support to communities located within a 15-kilometre radius of the facility, marking this as the initial full year of funding accessible through the community benefit programme. In total, €92,000 has been allocated via the 2024/25 Lenalea Community Benefit Fund to assist 12 projects that aim to deliver long-term advantages across the region.

Key initiatives receiving support during this funding round include Glenswilly National School, which is securing capital towards a new community sports pitch, and the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team, which plans to invest in training and a drone to enhance its aerial search and rescue capabilities.

The complete list of funding recipients consists of:

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• Glenswilly National School

• Donegal Mountain Rescue Team

• Glenswilly GAA

• Cappry Rovers FC

• Letterkenny Community Centre CLG

• Drumkeen United AFC

• Twin Towns Boxing Club

• Donegal Centre for Independent Living

• St Ninian's Convoy Parish Centre

• Convoy Joint National School

• Glenmaquin National School

• Gairmscoil Chú Uladh

The successful applicants will allocate the funding toward an assortment of projects designed to upgrade local facilities and improve access to inclusion, sport, and recreation services.

Joseph Gallinagh, Principal of Glenswilly National School, expressed his gratitude: "This support means a great deal to our school and to the wider Glenswilly community. The new pitch will give young people a safe and modern place to play, learn and come together. We are very grateful to SSE Renewables for helping us bring this project forward."

Ciaran Maguire, Onshore Wind O&M General Manager Ireland for SSE Renewables, stated: "We're delighted to be awarding the first full year of funding from the Lenalea Community Benefit Fund. The projects supported this year reflect priorities identified by local people and show the strength of community organisations in this part of Donegal, which is exactly why supporting the communities that host our wind farms is so important to SSE."

Annette Duffy, Community Investment Manager for SSE, added: "These awards demonstrate the impact that partnership with local groups can deliver. The projects supported this year will bring meaningful and lasting improvements for residents. We look forward to seeing the positive outcomes that follow."

In a separate Donegal development, construction commenced in January on the Drumnahough Wind Farm. Positioned adjacent to the Lenalea site, the 12-turbine, 58 MW project is a joint venture between SSE and FuturEnergy Ireland, with SSE heading up both the construction and development phases.