Three Kilkenny groups land windfall from Community Benefit Fund

EDF Power Solutions Ireland is announcing details of the recipients of this year’s Community Benefit Funding from its three solar farms in Kilkenny and Wexford.

This year’s recipients include two Tidy Towns groups, a men’s shed, a people’s shed and a day centre for senior citizens with the groups sharing circa €50,000 to enhance and develop new facilities.

With a combined capacity of 17MW, Curraghmartin in Kilkenny and Coolroe and Blusheens in Wexford were among Ireland’s first operational solar farms when they were energised in 2023.
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Community Benefit Funds, independently administered by SECAD Partnership CLG, were established for each of the three solar farms to provide funding to local community groups for the next 15 years, and will generate c.€750,000 over the lifetime of the funds.

Local community groups were invited to apply for the first round of funding in March of this year, and the applications were reviewed by a panel of local community representatives who decided how this year’s funds would be allocated.

In Kilkenny, funding of €15,000 from Curraghmartin Solar Farm has been split evenly between three different groups. This has enabled Mooncoin Men’s Shed to purchase a polytunnel ‘welfare unit’, Mooncoin Tidy Towns and Mooncoin Parish Committee have restored the walls and gates of the local cemetery with their funding while Kilnaspic People’s Shed have installed wall insulation for increased energy efficiency and greater comfort during the winter months.
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Welcoming the awards of funding, Paul Gallagher, Head of Onshore Technologies at EDF Power Solutions Ireland, said: “It’s fantastic to see funding from our three solar farms in action, helping to support such a cross-section of local groups and the great work they do in their communities.

“These solar farms play a vital role in producing low-carbon electricity that contributes to Ireland’s climate goals, energy sovereignty and security. As a company we are committed to playing our part to ensure that communities also see tangible local benefits from these projects, and we’re delighted to see this funding go towards such good causes, all closely aligned to the UN sustainable development goals, and look forward to making similar awards next year and in the years to come.”

Mary Hennigan of Mooncoin Tidy Towns said: “The funding from the Curraghmartin Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund has allowed us to complete the restoration and painting of the gates and walls of the cemetery in Chapel Street – which is an integral part of the parish of Mooncoin, as well as refreshing the planter boxes at the church car park. These two projects are situated in the heart of the village, and we’re delighted to be able to enhance the overall appearance of the area.”

Joe Driscoll, Chair of the Mooncoin Men’s Shed said: “The purchase of the welfare unit was very important to our men's shed, as it means the group can take a break and have a cup of tea and a chat in comfort. This wouldn’t have been possible without the community benefit funding, and it’s been of great benefit to our group and the community at large.”

Katie Power, outgoing Chairperson of Kilnaspic People’s Shed, said: “This generous funding from EDF power solutions will make a great difference to the people of Kilnaspic and surrounding areas. Our Shed will now be accessible to all throughout the cold Winter months and will remain open as a space for young and old to come together to learn and play. This funding has greatly helped us in our efforts to create community and promote lifelong learning and skill sharing in the area.”

Over €20,000 of funding from Blusheens Solar Farm has been awarded to St Mary’s Day Care Centre in Tagoat, Wexford. The centre provides day care services and meals on wheels to the elderly, those with limited mobility and those living alone in Tagoat and the surrounding rural areas. They will use the funding to carry out an upgrade of the centre’s electrical system.

Funding of over €13,000 from Coolroe Solar Farm has enabled Ballycullane Tidy Towns to landscape the roadside around the Tintern Sports Complex, as well as to create a colourful mural in the heart of the village.