Meentycat and Culliagh

With support from the SSE Renewables Meentycat Community Fund, Ballybofey & Stranorlar Integrated Company Ltd has successfully transitioned from a traditional fossil fuelled van to a fully electric vehicle (EV), a significant step towards sustainability and cost efficiency for the area.

Previously, their van, used daily to transport community employment scheme workers and tools across town, averaged 5,000km per year, with fuel costs of approximately €3,000 annually. Now, thanks to the switch to an electric vehicle (EV), the same essential services continue with zero exhaust emissions, reducing carbon output by around 900 kg of CO₂ per year and significantly reduced operating costs.

The van has become a shared community asset, used by the Chamber of Commerce, BASICC, and local organisations for year-round events like Halloween, Christmas, Easter, and summer festivals, eliminating the need for vehicle rental. In one notable example, a community group borrowed the EV for a weekend, saving the local group €400 in rental and fuel costs.

This project demonstrates how targeted funding and local collaboration can accelerate the electrification of transport, reduce carbon emissions, and deliver lasting social and economic benefit.

"Having an Electric Van for the Twin Towns is a wonderful asset for the community. It reduces operating costs, promotes sustainable practices, and reflects our shared commitment to environmental responsibility. This initiative has provided valuable support to local organisations, and we’re truly grateful to SSE Renewables for making it possible through their Community Fund. By integrating the electric van into everyday community use, we’re seeing meaningful environmental, economic, and social benefits, all contributing to a better quality of life for everyone in the area, while also aligning with our collective journey towards a Net Zero future.”

Eunan Quinn, Manager, The BASE Enterprise Centre

At SSE Renewables, safety is at the core of everything we do. Our guiding principle is simple: if it’s not safe, we don’t do it. This value is fundamental to our operations, and we are proud to support organisations that share this commitment. One such organisation is Donegal Mountain Rescue, a team of 35 dedicated volunteers who are on call 24/7 to respond to emergencies in the mountainous and remote areas of County Donegal, including during extreme weather events.

With €23,000 awarded from the SSE Renewables Meentycat Community Fund, Donegal Mountain Rescue has purchased essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for all team members. This investment ensures that the volunteers are fully equipped to respond safely and effectively to critical situations. The new PPE standardises the gear across the team, improving both protection and visibility during rescues. It replaces older, inadequate gear, ensuring that all members are equally prepared, enhancing operational readiness, and helping the team attract new recruits to strengthen their long-term resilience.

Beyond supporting Donegal Mountain Rescue, this project highlights the broader role local groups can play in regions where SSE Renewables’ wind farms are located. It underscores how renewable energy initiatives can drive sustainable, impactful projects that deliver lasting social and environmental benefits. Through our Community Funds, we are proud to power local change, enabling meaningful contributions to the community.

With the new, reliable PPE, Donegal Mountain Rescue is better equipped to serve the people of Donegal, ensuring faster and safer responses to emergencies. This initiative also reflects our shared commitment to local, sustainable development, leaving a positive legacy for generations to come.

"We are deeply grateful to SSE Renewables Meentycat Community Fund for providing essential PPE, which significantly enhances the safety of our volunteer team during rescue operations. Protecting the safety of our local volunteers is our top priority, and this support ensures they are better equipped to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies. Hosting renewable energy assets in Donegal presents a unique opportunity to create a lasting legacy. By engaging in proactive, long-term planning, local community groups can, with SSE Renewables’ support, deliver impactful and sustainable projects that strengthen resilience and promote an environmentally responsible future for generations to come."

Seamus Bradley, Deputy Training Officer, Donegal Mountain Rescue