As part of the Derrinlough Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund, Derrinlough Wind Farm DAC have launched the 2026 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 2026 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 

Derrinlough Wind Farm DAC is delighted to announce that Derrinlough Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund (The Fund”) opened on the 10th of November 2025 for applications for communities near to Derrinlough Wind Farm in Co. Offaly.

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.

Derrinlough Wind Farm DAC will make an annual contribution of €2/MWh (per Loss-Adjusted Metered Generation) into the Community Benefit Fund for 15 years. The Fund value will vary each year as it will be calculated based on the annual output of the wind farm.

In line with the Fund opening, the Derrinlough Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund Team organised a community information evening held in the locality. This event was an opportunity for local community groups and prospective applicants to learn more about the Fund and how to apply, and to ask questions to BnM, the Fund Administrators.

We would like to thank all that attended for their participation.

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.