Community Benefits

Community Benefits

Derrinlough Wind Farm Construction Community Benefit Fund is now closed

Derrinlough Wind Farm launched a Construction Community Benefit Fund (“The Fund”) to facilitate the support of local communities during the construction phase of the project.  The Fund was open to local community-based project groups and voluntary organisations located within, or working with, communities in the vicinity of the development or turbine transport route.
 
The Derrinlough Wind Farm Construction Community Benefit Fund is now closed for applications. 
 
The Fund has benefited schools, sports clubs, general amenity, social initiatives, as well as community facilities. Please see below for a list of recipients and projects the Fund has supported :
 
Should you have any queries regarding your application,  please contact the project team via Derrinloughwindfarm@bnm.ie , or alternatively call the Community Liaison Officer Enda on 087 0579141 .

Community Benefits

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 Bord na Móna 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.

Local Amenity Links

An additional 10 km of local amenity links will also be provided. This will include three access points from the adjacent road network, connectivity to Lough Boora Discovery Park and potential future connectivity to the proposed Whigsborough Amenity Walk.

To view the local amenity plan, click here.

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Communications

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