As part of the Derrinlough Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund, Derrinlough Wind Farm DAC have launched this Educational Scholarship Scheme to support local students in accessing further education. We want to ensure that people living in the vicinity of the Wind Farm benefit the most from the development, and recognize that the cost of educational studies and student life can be a barrier for potential students.

The 2025 Scholarship includes a monetary grant to the value of €2,500 for each year of study, up to a maximum of 4 years, for four students living in the vicinity (up to 5km) of Derrinlough Wind Farm, and may be used towards course fees, accommodation, tools, transport costs etc. Applicants who have already completed their first year of study are welcome to apply.

Each Scholarship application will be evaluated in accordance with the eligibility criteria outlined in the Scholarship Guidelines and Terms and Conditions.

• To view the full Scholarship Guidelines, please click here
• To view the full Scholarship Terms and Conditions, please click here.
• To view the Scholarship FAQ's, please click here.

The Derrinlough Wind Farm Educational Scholarship Scheme will be funded directly from the renewable energy generated at Derrinlough Wind Farm through its Community Benefit Fund.

To apply click here.

Applicants requiring help or support with their application can contact the Community Benefit Fund team via Derrinloughwindfarm@bnm.ie 

Thank you to everyone who has submitted and expression of interest for a position on the Derrinlough Wind Farm DAC Community Benefit Fund Committee.

All expressions of interest received will be reviewed and considered against, at a minimum, the following over-arching principles with respect to the establishment of the Fund Committee:

1. The Fund Committee should aim to achieve geographic balance of representation from communities within the expected “Area of Benefit” for the Fund (10km) and every effort will be made to ensure those communities closest are represented in the first instance.
2. The Fund Committee should achieve as broad a cross section of the local community as possible.
3. Ideally, those appointed to the Fund Committee should represent some strand of community life.
4. Ideally, a variety of occupations or skills sets would be available on the Fund Committee.

Once selected, Fund Committee members will participate in accordance with the highest governance and reporting standards as pertains to the Funds.  A code of conduct and conflict of interest policy will be established and signed by all members of the Fund Committee.

All submissions recieved will be in strict confidentiality.

The Community Benefit Fund will open later this year for applications.

Derrinlough Wind Farm DAC will hold an information session in the locality to coincide with this to provide the Community with an opportunity to learn more about the Fund and the application process.

If you would like to be notified of these events and other associated Fund activities join our mailing list, or alternatively please contact Enda on 087 057 9141.

• Join our mailing list

Benefits arising from the construction and operation of the Derrinlough Wind Farm project will include:

• A Community Benefit Fund (including a Near Neighbour Scheme)
• Supporting up to 120 jobs at peak construction
• Substantial rates paid to the relevant Local Authority
• Supporting a number of long term, high quality technical jobs in operations and maintenance
• Upgrading of the road infrastructure in the vicinity of the wind farm (as required)
• Payment of taxes from the project, and dividends from BnM to the State
• Indirect employment created through the sub-supply of a wide range of products and services

At a Regional Level, the new development will help to supply the rising demand for electricity, resulting from renewed
economic growth in the Midlands region. During construction, additional employment will be created in the region through
the supply of services and materials to the wind farm.

At a National Level, the new development will play a significant role in contributing to the country’s national renewable
electricity production and carbon emissions reduction targets by 2030, while also supporting a growing economy and
population. During operation, the wind farm will eliminate the need to generate the equivalent amount of electricity from fossil
fuels, and it will therefore help to reduce total national greenhouse gas emissions. In doing so, it will reduce our dependence
on external energy sources, help improve our energy security of supply and make a major contribution to Ireland’s Climate
Action Plan 2019, which has set a target of 9GW of onshore wind capacity by 2030.