Two Wexford oganisations receive funding 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 Wexford and Kilkenny…

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

With a combined capacity of 17MW, Coolroe, Blusheens and Curraghmartin Solar Farms were among Ireland’s first operational solar farms when they were energised in 2023.

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 circa €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.

Over €20,000 of funding from Blusheens Solar Farm has been awarded to St Mary’s Day Care Centre in Tagoat, Co. 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.

Meanwhile, 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.

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,” he told Wexford Weekly.

Siobhan Murphy of St Mary’s Day Care Centre said:

“The funding we received has enabled us to upgrade our electrical system which will in turn significantly improve the safety and reliability of our Day Care Centre. By replacing outdated wiring and panels, we have minimised the risk of electrical fires and power outages and ensuring essential equipment, kitchen appliances, and medical devices function without interruption. Ultimately, it helps everyone who depends on the centre’s services.”

Martin Reading of Ballycullane Tidy Towns said:

“The grant from the EDF power solutions Coolroe Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund allows the Tidy Towns group to continue our work in Ballycullane village. The new mural has already brightened the appearance of the village centre, and recognises the work done by gardeners, residents’ associations and the community veg growers to keep the village looking good and supporting biodiversity.”

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.

Ends

Full list of awards:

Fund	Organisation Name	Amount Awarded
Blusheens Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund	St Mary’s Day Care Centre	€20,948
Coolroe Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund	Ballycullane Tidy Towns	€13,069
Curraghmartin Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund	Mooncoin Men’s Shed	€5,000
Curraghmartin Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund	Mooncoin Tidy Towns and Mooncoin Parish Committee	€5,045
Curraghmartin Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund	Kilnaspic People’s Shed	€5,046