Derrinlough Wind Farm DAC is now inviting applications to its Community Beneift Fund.

This Fund will provide grants to local community groups, not-for-profit organisations or social enterprises that operate or service communities within 10km of Derrinlough Wind Farm, or which are the primary provider of services or activities within this area, for projects that will create positive social and environmental impacts. The overall aim is to increase public and environmental wellbeing in the community and to ensure the communities adjacent to the wind farm receive direct tangible community benefits from its operation.

• Before you begin your application, please ensure you have read the Fund Guidelines for Applicants & Frequently Asked Questions thoroughly. 
• You will be asked to set up an account on the online platform and verify your email address.
• Once you begin, you may save your application and return to it at a later time, however the application portal will close on Monday, January 19th at 5.00pm and you will no longer be able to access the application. 
• Once your application is submitted it cannot be amended. 
• All applications must be submitted through the online application platform.

Each application will be evaluated in accordance with the eligibility criteria outlined in the Fund Guidelines.

• To view the Fund Guidelines, please click here
• To view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), please click here.

The 2025 Derrinlough Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund will be funded directly from the renewable energy generated at Derrinlough Wind Farm. 

To apply click here.

Applicants requiring help or support with their application can email the Community Benefit Fund team via Derrinloughwindfarm@bnm.ie with subject line “Community Benefit Fund Query” or alternatively call Enda (Community Liasion Officer) on 087 0579141.

The Derrinlough Wind Farm Educational Scholarship Scheme 2025 is now closed for applications.

Thank you for your participation.

Should you have any queries on your application, or the Educational Scholarship Scheme,  please get in touch with the Derrinlough Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund team by email via derrinloughwindfarm@bnm.ie. Alternatively, please contact our Community Liaison Officer Enda on 087 0579141.

The Derrinlough Wind Farm DAC Community Benefit Fund Committee has been appointed.

Derrinlough Wind Farm DAC would like to thank everyone who submitted an expression of interest for consideration for a position on the Committee.

All expressions of interest received were 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.

A code of conduct and conflict of interest policy has been established and will be signed by all members of the Fund Committee.

The newly appointed Fund Committee members will participate in accordance with the highest governance and reporting standards as pertains to the Fund.  

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.