Energia Group, one of Ireland’s leading developers and operators of renewable energy, has announced the first round of community grants from its Drumlins Park Wind Farm community benefit fund in County Monaghan. 

In all, 14 grants were made totalling almost €160,000.  Projects ranged from major childcare facility and community centre improvements across Newbliss, Drum and Scotshouse to smaller grant requests for craft classes, village Christmas illuminations and a children’s cross-community sunflower and scarecrow festival.

Patricia Stuart and her team at Newbliss Childcare Services have been planning a long-awaited extension which they estimate will cost in the region of €530,000. Now, thanks to secured funding commitments from various external organisations, including a €30,000 grant from the newly set-up Drumlins Park benefit fund, the extension looks set to go ahead with the promise of a new ‘wobbler’ room (for children aged between 18 and 24 months).

Ms Stuart said: “We’ve been looking forward to getting this extension for such a long time and would like to thank all our supporters and our funders, including the new Drumlins Park fund, for making this happen.  Expanding our services will make a huge difference to our community, families, staff and – most importantly – our little learners.

“A rural childcare service like this offers local children a chance to build friendships that can last a lifetime and strengthen our sense of community in the village.”

Energia’s Community Engagement Manager, Rosy Billingham, said: “This is Energia Group’s newest community benefit fund and we are looking forward to seeing the difference the fund will make for local people living beside Drumlins Park Wind Farm. I know Patricia and her team at Newbliss Child Care Servies are keen to provide the best facility for local parents and their children – including those on their long waiting list.

“From next year, Energia will be providing over €1 million a year in community investment through our wind farm benefit funds and sponsorships across the island of Ireland. The projects we support are providing much-needed local community services and activities, ranging from school infrastructure and community centre improvements through to health and wellbeing initiatives and community events. All these initiatives align with our commitment to building stronger, resilient and sustainable communities.”

The Drumlins Park Wind Farm community benefit fund is administered on behalf of Energia by Community Foundation Ireland who have appointed local committee members to oversee the annual fund.

Community Foundation Fund Manager, Hugh Harkin, said: “Supporting communities to thrive is central to our equality mission. Wind farm community benefit funds like this are making a significant contribution at grassroot level throughout Ireland. The projects supported by the Drumlins Park fund will provide much-needed community support within the local area.”

The Drumlins Park Wind Farm fund will open once a year for applications from community groups  operating within a 5-kilometre radius of the wind farm, incorporating Newbliss, Drum and Scotshouse.

Energia now owns and operates 16 wind farms across the island of Ireland and its wind farm community investment to date comes to over €5 million.  To find out more, visit www.energiagroup.com/renewables/community-benefit-fund.