EirGrid has allocated €567,643.22 to community groups and not-for-profit organisations located near the North Connacht 110kV project through its Community Benefit Fund.

The awards coincide with the start of construction on the critical grid scheme and will support 34 initiatives across Co Mayo and Co Roscommon.

This is the first of three funding rounds from a total €1.53 million pot set up to recognise and support the communities hosting the project. Grants are released at three stages: when construction begins, mid-way through delivery and on completion.

In this round, €204,000 was assigned to the community stream, €204,000 to sustainability-focused projects, and €159,662 to biodiversity work.

Speaking about the announcement, EirGrid's Head of Public Engagement, Sinead Dooley, said: "The North Connacht 110kV Project will not only contribute towards meeting our climate action targets but will also provide electricity capacity to meet increasing energy demand, supporting economic growth, housing and businesses in this region.

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Sinead Dooley added: "We recently reached a significant milestone in the project, with our delivery partners ESB Networks starting construction and this fund shows the value that we place on collaborating with the communities who are hosting this infrastructure, and we also acknowledge the temporary disruption during delivery.

Dooley continued: "We are very proud to support the huge efforts of voluntary groups to improve their communities through civic, environmental and sustainable initiatives, and we look forward to seeing what will be achieved through this fund."

The North Connacht 110kV project will add a new 110kV underground line to the electricity grid in Co Mayo and Co Roscommon, powering 150,000 homes and accommodating more renewable energy.

The associated community benefit fund is open to not-for-profit organisations, voluntary organisations and community groups that can demonstrate how communities benefit from the services, facilities or programmes they provide in the project area, and will be divided equally between the three funding streams: community, sustainability and biodiversity.

To ensure transparent, participatory and inclusive distribution, the fund is administered by independent facilitator SECAD.

Dooley concluded: "At EirGrid, we recognise the importance of communities in our work to strengthen the electricity system, and we want to thank the communities for their support to date for this project, including from the members on our community forum. We look forward to continuing this engagement as we work to deliver this critical project."