– €120,000 awarded to organisations driving local change –
SSE and Greencoat Renewables have awarded €120,000 to 36 community groups across Connemara through the 2025 Galway Wind Park Community Fund, reaffirming their commitment to supporting local communities near Ireland’s largest onshore wind farm.
The funding was officially presented to community groups at a dedicated event hosted at the Connemara Lake Hotel in Oughterard, County Galway, on Thursday, 18 September. Representatives from the successful groups came together to celebrate the transformative impact of renewable energy investment in their communities.
The 174MW Galway Wind Park in Connemara’s Cloosh Valley, co-owned by SSE Renewables and Greencoat Renewables, is one of Ireland’s largest onshore wind farms. Since the launch of its Community Fund in 2018, over €3 million has been distributed to local groups, supporting a wide range of initiatives that promote sustainability, education, wellbeing, and community development.
This year’s recipients include organisations working to support individuals affected by domestic violence, teach coding skills to children, and promote male mental health. Other community groups have been awarded funding to carry out safety upgrades, improve infrastructure, and implement energy-efficiency measures.
One of the funded groups was Coiste Páirc Spraoi Leitir Móir, which has received support over two consecutive years to enhance its renewable energy setup. Last year, the committee which oversees a community park in Lettermore, secured funding to install a solar PV system. This year, they successfully applied for additional funding to add battery storage and a changeover switch, enabling the facility to operate independently during power outages.
Tina Flaherty, Chairperson of Coiste Páirc Spraoi Leitir Móir, said:
“Thanks to the Galway Wind Park Community Fund, our organisation is more resilient and energy-independent. This support has made a real difference to our community facility, helping us reduce energy costs and contribute to a more sustainable future."
Anne Reynolds, Community Investment Manager for SSE Renewables, who presented the awards, stated:
“It was brilliant to meet the inspiring recipients of this year’s Galway Wind Park Community Fund and present them with their well-deserved funding. At SSE Renewables we take immense pride alongside our partners Greencoat Renewables in being able to empower local groups across Connemara through funding from the Galway Wind Park Community Fund.”
David Dunne, Asset Manager at Greencoat Renewables, said:
“Our commitment at Greencoat Renewables goes beyond clean energy generation. We are proud to invest in community projects that enhance both the local environment and the quality of life for residents, ensuring that our wind farms benefit everyone, both now and for generations to come."
Ciaran Maguire, Onshore Wind O&M General Manager Ireland for SSE Renewables, said:
“At SSE Renewables, we are dedicated to driving forward the renewable energy transition while fostering positive change in the communities we serve. Through our ongoing support of local initiatives, we aim to ensure a lasting impact on the social and environmental well-being of those living near the Galway Wind Park."